Affect (&unr_;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affected; p. pr. & vb. n. Affecting.] [L. affectus, p. p. of afficere to affect by active agency; ad + facere to make: cf. F. affectere, L. affectare, freq. of afficere. See Fact.] 1. To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.
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As might affect the earth with cold heat. Milton.
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The climate affected their health and spirits. Macaulay.
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2. To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to touch.
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A consideration of the rationale of our passions seems to me very necessary for all who would affect them upon solid and pure principles.
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3. To love; to regard with affection. [Obs.]
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As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her. Fuller.
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4. To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose; hence, to frequent habitually.
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For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for it, indeed. Shak.
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Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank, nor court that of the great. Hazlitt.
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5. To dispose or incline.
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Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty. Milton.
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6. To aim at; to aspire; to covet. [Obs.]
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This proud man affects imperial &unr_;way. Dryden.
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7. To tend to by affinity or disposition.
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The drops of every fluid affect a round figure. Newton.
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8. To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume; as, to affect ignorance.
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Careless she is with artful care,
Affecting to seem unaffected. Congreve.
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Thou dost affect my manners. Shak.
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9. To assign; to appoint. [R.]
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One of the domestics was affected to his special service. Thackeray.
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Syn. -- To influence; operate; act on; concern; move; melt; soften; subdue; overcome; pretend; assume.
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