Af*fec"tion (&?;), n. [F. affection,
L. affectio, fr. afficere. See Affect.]
1. The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of
being affected.
2. An attribute; a quality or property; a
condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections
of bodies. "The affections of quantity." Boyle.
And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less,
An old and strange affection of the house.
Tennyson.
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.
Cogan.
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.
Macaulay.
5. Prejudice; bias. [Obs.] Bp.
Aylmer.
6. (Med.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady;
as, a pulmonary affection. Dunglison.
7. The lively representation of any emotion.
Wotton.
8. Affectation. [Obs.] "Spruce
affection." Shak.
9. Passion; violent emotion. [Obs.]
Most wretched man,
That to affections does the bridle lend.
Spenser.
Syn. -- Attachment; passion; tenderness; fondness; kindness;
love; good will. See Attachment; Disease.
