Af*flict" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Afflicted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Afflicting.] [L. afflictus, p. p. of affigere to cast
down, deject; ad + fligere to strike: cf. OF. aflit,
afflict, p. p. Cf. Flagellate.] 1. To
strike or cast down; to overthrow. [Obs.] "Reassembling our
afflicted powers." Milton.
2. To inflict some great injury or hurt upon,
causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to
torment.
They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them
with their burdens.
Exod. i. 11.
That which was the worst now least afflicts me.
Milton.
3. To make low or humble. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an
afflicted truth.
Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To trouble; grieve; pain; distress; harass; torment;
wound; hurt.
Af*flict", p. p. & a. [L. afflictus,
p. p.] Afflicted. [Obs.] Becon.
