affect1
/ fekt/ verb 1 make a difference to; have an effect on. 2 touch the feelings of. DERIVATIVES affecting adjective. USAGE Affect and effect are frequently confused. Affect is primarily a verb meaning make a difference to, as in the changes will affect everyone. Effect is used both as a noun meaning a result (e.g. the substance has a pain-killing effect) and as a verb meaning bring about (a result), as in she effected a cost-cutting exercise. ORIGIN Latin afficere affect.
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