affection

Where does the word "affection" come from? It comes from Latin affectio, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Affection’s story begins in Latin: affectio meant “disposition.” From 'afficere', to act upon, the root of 'affect'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as affection. Any state of mind produced by influence. It reached English by 1200s as affection. First recorded around 1225 in the 'Ancrene Riwle', a guide for anchoresses; narrowed to fond love by the 1300s. Today, affection means a gentle feeling of fondness.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient affectio "disposition", from 'afficere', to act upon, the root of 'affect'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval affection "inclination, feeling", any state of mind produced by influence.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s affection "feeling", first recorded around 1225 in the 'Ancrene Riwle', a guide for anchoresses; narrowed to fond love by the 1300s.