1.The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.
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." "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."
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."
6.(Med.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.
7.The lively representation of any emotion.
8.Affectation. (Obs.) "Spruce affection."
9.Passion; violent emotion. (Obs.) "Most wretched man, That to affections does the bridle lend."