affectation

WOTD - 9 February 2008    

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (RP, US) IPA: /ˌæf.ɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

affectation (plural affectations)

1. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.
2. An unusual mannerism.

Synonyms

• (unusual mannerism): eccentricity, mannerism

Related terms

• affect
• affectatious
• affecter
• affective
• affection
• affectionate

Translations

an attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real

Bulgarian: преструване (bg) French: affectation (fr) f. Portuguese: afetação (pt) f.

Russian: неестественность (ru) f., притворство (ru) n. Spanish: afectación (es) f.

an unusual mannerism

Bulgarian: превземане (bg) French: affectation (fr) f.

Portuguese: afetação f.