Part 129

2. A word or phrase expressing affirmation or assent; as, yes, that is so, etc.

Af*firm"a*tive*ly, adv. In an affirmative manner; on the affirmative side of a question; in the affirmative; -- opposed to negatively.

Af*firm"a*to*ry (&?;), a. Giving affirmation; assertive; affirmative. Massey.

Af*firm"er (&?;), n. One who affirms.

Af*fix" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affixed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Affixing.] [LL. affixare, L. affixus, p. p. of affigere to fasten to; ad + figere to fasten: cf. OE. affichen, F. afficher, ultimately fr. L. affigere. See Fix.] 1. To subjoin, annex, or add at the close or end; to append to; to fix to any part of; as, to affix a syllable to a word; to affix a seal to an instrument; to affix one's name to a writing.

2. To fix or fasten in any way; to attach physically.

Should they [caterpillars] affix them to the leaves of a plant improper for their food. Ray.

3. To attach, unite, or connect with; as, names affixed to ideas, or ideas affixed to things; to affix a stigma to a person; to affix ridicule or blame to any one.

4. To fix or fasten figuratively; -- with on or upon; as, eyes affixed upon the ground. [Obs.] Spenser.

Syn. -- To attach; subjoin; connect; annex; unite.

Af"fix (&?;), n.; pl. Affixes (#). [L. affixus, p. p. of affigere: cf. F. affixe.] That which is affixed; an appendage; esp. one or more letters or syllables added at the end of a word; a suffix; a postfix.

Af*fix"ion (&?;), n. [L. affixio, fr. affigere.] Affixture. [Obs.] T. Adams.

Af*fix"ture (?; 135), n. The act of affixing, or the state of being affixed; attachment.

Af*fla"tion (&?;), n. [L. afflatus, p. p. of afflare to blow or breathe on; ad + flare to blow.] A blowing or breathing on; inspiration.

Af*fla"tus (&?;), n. [L., fr. afflare. See Afflation.] 1. A breath or blast of wind.

2. A divine impartation of knowledge; supernatural impulse; inspiration.

A poet writing against his genius will be like a prophet without his afflatus. Spence.

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.

Af*flict"ed*ness, n. The state of being afflicted; affliction. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Af*flict"er (&?;), n. One who afflicts.

Af*flict"ing, a. Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.