affect

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to act physically on

   This new pill affects me negatively.

2. 2
   verb

   to have an effect upon or make a difference on something

   Will the new rules affect me?

3. 3
   verb

   to make believe with the intent to deceive

   The serial killer affected a limp to come across more harmless.

4. 4
   verb

   to have an emotional or cognitive impact upon

   Your decision affects me very much.

5. 5
   verb

   to connect closely and often incriminatingly

   This new ruling affects your business.

6. 6
   verb

   To influence or alter.

   The experience affected me deeply.

7. 7
   verb

   To move to emotion.

   He was deeply affected by the tragic ending of the play.

8. 8
   verb

   Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).

   Hepatitis affects the liver.

Etymology

From Middle English affecten, from Anglo-Norman affecter (“strive after”), Middle French affecter (“feign”), and their source, Latin affectāre (“to strive after, aim to do, pursue, imitate with dissimulation, feign”), frequentative of afficere (“to act upon, influence”) (see Etymology 1, above).