(ə·fekt′) v.t.
1. To act upon or have an effect upon; impress; influence.
2. To touch or move emotionally.
3. To attack or attaint: A disease affects the body. See synonyms under CONCERN, INFLUENCE.
Compare EFFECT.
—noun
1. (af′ekt) Psychol. a That which tends to arouse emotion rather than to stimulate thought or perception. b The diffuse mental condition thus produced. c The fundamental controlling element in an emotional state.
2. Obs. Inward disposition; inclination. [<L affectus, pp. of afficere influence, attack < ad- to + facere do; def 1 of noun <G affekt]

(ə·fekt′) v.t.
1. To have a liking for; show a preference for; fancy: to affect large hats.
2. To imitate or counterfeit for effect; make a show of one's liking or aptitude for: to affect a British accent; to affect omniscience.
3. To tend toward naturally; haunt; frequent: said of animals and plants.
4. Obs. To aim at; to aspire for or to. See synonyms under ASSUME, LIKE, PRETEND. [<F affecter <L affectare aim at, freq. of afficere.
See AFFECT¹.]