affection
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- a positive feeling of liking“he had trouble expressing the affection he felt”“the child won everyone's heart”“the warmness of his welcome made us feel right at home”Synonyms: affectionatenessfondnesstendernessheartwarmnesswarmheartednessphilia
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected. [1913 Webster]
2.(Philosophy) An attribute, especially a contingent or alterable quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc., are affections of bodies. "The affections of quantity." --Boyle. [1913 Webster]
And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less, An old and strange affection of the house.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any object or quality.— Cogan.[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
All his affections are set on his own country.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]
5.Prejudice; bias. [Obs.] --Bp. Aylmer. [1913 Webster]
6.(Med.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection. --Dunglison. AS [1913 Webster]
7.The lively representation of any emotion. --Wotton. [1913 Webster]
8.Affectation. [Obs.] "Spruce affection." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
9.Passion; violent emotion. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Most wretched man, That to affections does the bridle lend.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]
Syn: Attachment; passion; tenderness; fondness; kindness; love; liking; good will. See Attachment; Disease. [1913 Webster]