Affection \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)