afflict

Everyday

1. To cause pain, suffering or trouble to someone or something. tree →
2. (often passive) To be afflicted with an illness or problem is to suffer from it. tree →

In the lessons

Formal; met in news, history and stories: diseases, droughts and floods afflict people. Phrases: «afflicted with/by», «afflict a region».

Examples

• Floods afflicted the town every spring. tree →
• The plague afflicted much of Europe. tree →
• He was afflicted with a terrible cough. tree →
• Hunger afflicts millions of people. tree →
• The old tree was afflicted by a fungus. tree →
• Shyness afflicted her as a child. tree →
• “Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master. tree →

Note

Noun: affliction. Used mostly about illness and trouble. Do not confuse with «inflict» (to make someone suffer something: «inflict pain on»).

In Jewish tradition

Often means to oppress or humble someone. The Egyptians afflict Israel with hard labor, and God commands Israel not to afflict widows and orphans.

Interpretation. On Yom Kippur "afflict your souls" is read as a command to fast and deny oneself. Tradition also reads the commands about widows and orphans as a moral duty to protect the weak.

Examples

• Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. (Torah EXO.22.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. (Torah EXO.1.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever. (Torah LEV.16.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• They crush Thy people, O LORD, and afflict Thy heritage. (Writings PSA.94.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Wilt Thou hold Thy peace, and afflict us very sore? (Prophets ISA.64.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• For He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. (Writings LAM.3.33, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Noun: affliction. Used mostly about illness and trouble. Do not confuse with «inflict» (to make someone suffer something: «inflict pain on»).