Affection /(ăf*fĕk"shŭn)/

Af·fec·tion

Affection

n.
  1. The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.
  2. An attribute, especially a contingent or alterable quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections of bodies. (Philosophy)
    And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less, An old and strange affection of the house.
  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.
  5. Prejudice; bias. [Obs.]
  6. Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection. (Med.)
  7. The lively representation of any emotion.
  8. Affectation. [Obs.]
  9. Passion; violent emotion. [Obs.]
    Most wretched man, That to affections does the bridle lend.