affection
affection (af*fek"shun) , noun
[French affection, Latin affectio, from afficere. See Affect.]
1.
The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.
2.
(Philosophy) An attribute, especially a contingent or alterable quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc., are affections of bodies.
The affections of quantity.
And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less,
An old and strange affection of the house.
3.
Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency.
Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any object or quality.
4.
A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; -- often in the pl. Formerly followed by to, but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial, social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for or towards children.
All his affections are set on his own country.
5.
Prejudice; bias. [Obsolete] — Bp. Aylmer
6.
(Medicine) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection. — Dunglison
7.
The lively representation of any emotion. — Wotton
8.
Affectation. [Obsolete]
Spruce affection.
9.
Passion; violent emotion. [Obsolete]
Most wretched man,
That to affections does the bridle lend.