affectation

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English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

First attested in 1548. From Latin affectātiōnem (possibly via French affectation), from affectō (I feign).

Pronunciation [edit]

Noun [edit]

affectation (plural affectations)

  1. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.
    • 1810, Dr. Samuel Johnson, “Life of Gower”, in The Works of the English Poets[1], edition Digitized, published 2009:
      This poem is strongly tinctured with those pedantic affectations concerning the passion of love ...
  2. An unusual mannerism.

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