You searched for: “affinity
affinity (uh FIN uh tee) (s) (noun), affinities (pl)
1. A feeling of closeness, understanding, and sympathy between people: Some classical musicians also have an affinity for jazz.
2. Family resemblance or a relationship by marriage: There was a special affinity between the two friends apparently because they were also cousins.
3. An inherent similarity between people or things: There is a close affinity between lemons and limes.

Sarah felt an affinity with all of those who suffered because their pains were also her pains.

4. Etymology: Affinity comes from Latin affinitas, which means "kinship by marriage, as distinct from blood kinship".

In the 18th century, naturalists started to use affinity to mean a family resemblance (as between cats and lions).

A natural attraction to someone.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

This entry is located in the following units: fin- (page 1) -ity (page 1)
affinity, infinity
affinity (uh FIN uh tee) (noun)
1. A natural liking or fondness for something or someone; a rapport: Many classical musicians have an affinity for jazz.
2. Family resemblance, similarity, likeness: There is a close affinity between lemons and limes.
infinity (in FIN uh tee) (noun)
1. Unlimited space, time, distance; extending beyond any measure or comprehension; without beginning or end: Beyond the Earth, astronomers have indicated there is only infinity.
2. In photography, a distance setting, as on a camera, beyond which the entire field is clearer and sharper: Tanya, the landscape photographer, set the lens on her camera to infinity so objects at a distance would be in focus.

Carla seemed to have an affinity for photography; with careful precision, she set the aperture of the camera to infinity when taking long-distance shots.

(Greek: love, loving, friendly to, fondness for, attraction to; strong tendency toward, affinity for)
Word Entries containing the term: “affinity
electron affinity
1. The energy needed to remove an electron from a negative ion in order to form a neutral atom or molecule.
2. The work needed in removing an electron from a negative ion which will restore the neutrality of an atom or molecule.
3. The work needed to remove an electron from a negative ion and move it to infinity.
This entry is located in the following units: electro-, electr-, electri- (page 47) -tron, -tronic, -tronics + (page 2)
Word Entries at Get Words: “affinity
affinity
A fundamental principle of relationship linking kin through marriage.
A feeling of closeness, understanding, and sympathy between people; an exceptional physical attraction for another person or situation. (1)