Afflict
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɪkt
Origin
From Old French aflicter, from Latin afflictare ("to damage, harass, torment"), frequentative of affligere ("to dash down, overthrow").
Full definition of afflict
Verb
- (transitive) To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress.
- 1611, Authorized King James Version translation of 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 Version translation of 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.
- (obsolete) To strike or cast down; to overthrow.
- Miltonreassembling our afflicted powers
- (obsolete) To make low or humble.
- Jeremy TaylorMen are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth.