affliction
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
English
Etymology
From Middle English affliction, affliccioun, from Old French afliction, borrowed from Latin afflīctiōnem, from affligere, whence English afflict.
Pronunciation
Noun
affliction (countable and uncountable, plural afflictions)
- A state of pain, suffering, distress or agony.
- 1781, [Mostyn John Armstrong], History and Antiquities of the County of Norfolk. Volume IX. Containing the Hundreds of Smithdon, Taverham, Tunstead, Walsham, and Wayland, volume IX, Norwich: Printed by J. Crouse, for M. Booth, bookseller, →OCLC, page 51:
- BEAT on, proud billows; Boreas blow; / Swell, curled waves, high as Jove's roof; / Your incivility doth ſhow, / That innocence is tempeſt proof; / Though ſurly Nereus frown, my thoughts are calm; / Then ſtrike, Affliction, for thy wounds are balm. [Attributed to Roger L'Estrange (1616–1704).]
- Something which causes pain, suffering, distress or agony.
- 1913, Willa Cather, O Pioneers!:
- She wore a man's long ulster (not as if it were an affliction, but as if it were very comfortable and belonged to her; carried it like a young soldier) [...]
Derived terms
Translations
a state of pain, suffering, distress or agony
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something which causes pain, suffering, distress or agony
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French
Etymology
Inherited from Old French afliction, borrowed from Latin afflīctiōnem.
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Noun
affliction f (plural afflictions)
- (countable and uncountable) affliction
References
- “affliction”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
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