affect

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To have an effect on something or someone; to change or influence it.

   Will the new rules affect me?

2. 2
   verb

   To cause someone to feel a strong emotion.

   He was deeply affected by the sad ending of the film.

3. 3
   verb

   Of an illness, to harm a part of the body.

   Hepatitis affects the liver.

4. 4
   verb

   To pretend to have a feeling or quality in order to deceive.

   He affected a limp so people would feel sorry for him.

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).

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