affect

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af·fect1 / əˈfekt/ • v. [tr.] have an effect on; make a difference to: the dampness began to affect my health. ∎  touch the feelings of (someone); move emotionally: [as adj.] (affecting) a highly affecting account of her experiences. ∎  (of an illness) attack or infect: people who are affected by AIDS.DERIVATIVES: af·fect·ing·ly adv.af·fect2 / əˈfekt/ • v. [tr.] pretend to have or feel (something): as usual I affected a supreme unconcern. ∎  use, wear, or assume (something) pretentiously or so as to make an impression on others: an American who had affected a British accent.af·fect3 / ˈafekt; əˈfekt/ • n. Psychol. emotion or desire, esp. as influencing behavior or action. DERIVATIVES: af·fect·less adj.af·fect·less·ness n.

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