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Webster 1913 Edition


Afflict

Af-flict′

,
Verb.
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.
&
Adj.
[L.
afflictus
, p. p.]
Afflicted.
[Obs.]
Becon.

Webster 1828 Edition


Afflict

AFFLICT'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. affligo, afflicto, of ad and figo, to strike; eng. flog; Gr. to strike;, L. plaga, a stroke. Hence,
eng.
flail, g being suppressed; L. flagellum. See Flog.]
1.
To give to the body or mind pain which is continued or of some permanence; to grieve, or distress; as, one is afflicted with the gout, or with melancholy, or with losses and misfortunes.
They affect thy heritage, O Lord. Ps. 95.
2.
To trouble; to harass; to distress.

Definition 2024


afflict

afflict

English

Verb

afflict (third-person singular simple present afflicts, present participle afflicting, simple past and past participle afflicted)

  1. (transitive) To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress.
    • 1611, Authorized King James translation of Exodus 1:11–12:
      Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
    • 1611, Authorized King James translation of Leviticus 23:27:
      Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  2. (obsolete) To strike or cast down; to overthrow.
    • Milton
      reassembling our afflicted powers
  3. (obsolete) To make low or humble.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)
    • Jeremy Taylor
      Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth.

Translations