Part 130

Af*flic"tion (&?;), n. [F. affliction, L. afflictio, fr. affligere.] 1. The cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, etc.; an instance of grievous distress; a pain or grief.

To repay that money will be a biting affliction. Shak.

2. The state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief.

Some virtues are seen only in affliction. Addison.

Syn. -- Calamity; sorrow; distress; grief; pain; adversity; misery; wretchedness; misfortune; trouble; hardship. -- Affliction, Sorrow, Grief, Distress. Affliction and sorrow are terms of wide and general application; grief and distress have reference to particular cases. Affliction is the stronger term. The suffering lies deeper in the soul, and usually arises from some powerful cause, such as the loss of what is most dear -- friends, health, etc. We do not speak of mere sickness or pain as "an affliction," though one who suffers from either is said to be afflicted; but deprivations of every kind, such as deafness, blindness, loss of limbs, etc., are called afflictions, showing that term applies particularly to prolonged sources of suffering. Sorrow and grief are much alike in meaning, but grief is the stronger term of the two, usually denoting poignant mental suffering for some definite cause, as, grief for the death of a dear friend; sorrow is more reflective, and is tinged with regret, as, the misconduct of a child is looked upon with sorrow. Grief is often violent and demonstrative; sorrow deep and brooding. Distress implies extreme suffering, either bodily or mental. In its higher stages, it denotes pain of a restless, agitating kind, and almost always supposes some struggle of mind or body. Affliction is allayed, grief subsides, sorrow is soothed, distress is mitigated.

Af*flic"tion*less (&?;), a. Free from affliction.

Af*flic"tive (&?;), a. [Cf. F. afflictif.] Giving pain; causing continued or repeated pain or grief; distressing. "Jove's afflictive hand." Pope.

Spreads slow disease, and darts afflictive pain. Prior.

Af*flic"tive*ly, adv. In an afflictive manner.

Af"flu*ence (&?;), n. [F. affluence, L. affluentia, fr. affluens, p. pr. of affluere to flow to; ad + fluere to flow. See Flux.] 1. A flowing to or towards; a concourse; an influx.

The affluence of young nobles from hence into Spain. Wotton.

There is an unusual affluence of strangers this year. Carlyle.

2. An abundant supply, as of thought, words, feelings, etc.; profusion; also, abundance of property; wealth.

And old age of elegance, affluence, and ease. Coldsmith.

Syn. -- Abundance; riches; profusion; exuberance; plenty; wealth; opulence.

Af"flu*en*cy (&?;), n. Affluence. [Obs.] Addison.

Af"flu*ent (&?;), a. [Cf. F. affluent, L. affluens, -entis, p. pr. See Affluence.] 1. Flowing to; flowing abundantly. "Affluent blood." Harvey.

2. Abundant; copious; plenteous; hence, wealthy; abounding in goods or riches.

Language . . . affluent in expression. H. Reed.

Loaded and blest with all the affluent store, Which human vows at smoking shrines implore. Prior.

Af"flu*ent, n. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; a tributary stream.

Af"flu*ent*ly, adv. Abundantly; copiously.

Af*flu*ent*ness, n. Great plenty. [R.]

Af"flux` (&?;), n. [L. affluxum, p. p. of affluere: cf. F. afflux. See Affluence.] A flowing towards; that which flows to; as, an afflux of blood to the head.

Af*flux"ion (&?;), n. The act of flowing towards; afflux. Sir T. Browne.

Af"fo*dill (&?;), n. Asphodel. [Obs.]

Af*force" (&?;), v. t. [OF. afforcier, LL. affortiare; ad + fortiare, fr. L. fortis strong.] To reënforce; to strengthen. Hallam.

Af*force"ment (&?;), n. [OF.] 1. A fortress; a fortification for defense. [Obs.] Bailey.