AFFEC'TION, n.
1. The state of being affected. Little used.
2. Passion but more generally,
3. A bent of mind towards a particular object, holding a middle place between disposition, which is natural, and passion, which is excited by the presence of its exciting object. Affection is a permanent bent of the mind, formed by the presence of an object, or by some act of another person, and existing without the presence of its object.
4. In a more particular sense, a settle good will, love or zealous attachment as, the affection of a parent for his child. It was formerly followed by to or towards, but is now more generally followed by far.
5. Desire inclination propensity, good or evil as, virtuous or vile affections. Romans 1 . Galatians 5 .
6. In a general sense, an attribute, quality or property, which is inseparable from its object as, love, fear and hope are affections of the mind figure, weight, &c., are affections of bodies.
7. Among physicians, a disease, or any particular morbid state of the body as, a gouty affection hysteric affection.
8. In painting, a lively representation of passion.
Shakespeare uses the word for affectation but this use is not legitimate.