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. Bp. Aylmer.
6. (Med.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection. Dunglison.
7. The lively representation of any emotion. Wotton.
8. Affectation. “Spruce affection.” Shak.
9. Passion; violent emotion.
Most wretched man,
That to affections does the bridle lend.
Spenser.
Syn. — Attachment; passion; tenderness; fondness; kindness; love; good will. See Attachment; Disease.