afflict Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb cause great unhappiness for; distress
- she was afflicted by the death of her parents
verb cause physical pain or suffering in
smite.
- afflict with the plague

L. afflictus, p. p. of affigere to cast down, deject; ad + fligere to strike: cf. OF. aflit, afflict, p. p. Cf. Flagellate.

imperfect & past participle Afflicted; present participle & verbal noun Afflicting

To strike or cast down; to overthrow. Obs. "Reassembling our afflicted powers." Milton.
To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to torment.
They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. Exod. i. 11.

That which was the worst now least afflicts me. Milton.
To make low or humble. Obs. Spenser.
Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth. Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To trouble; grieve; pain; distress; harass; torment; wound; hurt.