the act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.-an attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections of bodies.-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.-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.-prejudice; bias.-disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.-the lively representation of any emotion.-affectation.-passion; violent emotion.