Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Affection \Af*fec"tion\, n. [F. affection, L. affectio, fr.
   afficere. See {Affect}.]
   1. The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being
      affected.

   2. An attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily
      state; as, figure, weight, etc., are affections of bodies.
      ``The affections of quantity.'' --Boyle.

            And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less, An old
            and strange affection of the house.   --Tennyson.

   3. Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural
      impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as,
      the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the
      malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination;
      disposition; propensity; tendency.

            Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as
            a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any
            object or quality.                    --Cogan.

   4. A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender
      attachment; -- often in the pl. Formerly followed by to,
      but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial,
      social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for
      or towards children.

            All his affections are set on his own country.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   5. Prejudice; bias. [Obs.] --Bp. Aylmer.

   6. (Med.) Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary
      affection. --Dunglison.

   7. The lively representation of any emotion. --Wotton.

   8. Affectation. [Obs.] ``Spruce affection.'' --Shak.

   9. Passion; violent emotion. [Obs.]

            Most wretched man, That to affections does the
            bridle lend.                          --Spenser.

   Syn: Attachment; passion; tenderness; fondness; kindness;
        love; good will. See {Attachment}; {Disease}.

Source : WordNet®

affection
     n : a positive feeling of liking; "he had trouble expressing the
         affection he felt"; "the child won everyone's heart"
         [syn: {affectionateness}, {fondness}, {tenderness}, {heart},
          {warmheartedness}]