Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Influence \In"flu*ence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Influenced}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Influencing}.]
   To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by
   gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias,
   or sway; to move; to persuade; to induce.

         Theseexperiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo
         as in the open air,and therefore are not influenced by
         the weight or pressure of the atmosphere. --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.

         This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to
         influence their faith and practice, if they attend.
                                                  --Attebury.

         The principle which influenced their obedience has lost
         its efficacy.                            --Rogers.

Influence \In"flu*ence\, n. [F. influence, fr. L. influens,
   -entis, p. pr. See {Influent}, and cf. {Influenza}.]
   1. A flowing in or upon; influx. [Obs.]

            God hath his influence into the very essence of all
            things.                               --Hooker.

   2. Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect,
      phusical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power
      quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind
      which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the
      influence of education on the mind; the influence,
      according to astrologers,of the stars over affairs.

            Astrologers call the evil influences of the
            stars,evil aspects.                   --Bacon.

            Cantsthou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or
            loose the bands of Orion ?            --Job xxxviii.
                                                  31.

            She said : ?Ah,dearest lord ! what evil star On you
            hath frown'd,and poured, his influence bad ?''
                                                  --Spenser.

   3. Power or authority arising from elevated station,
      excelence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.;
      reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of
      influence in the community.

            Such influence hath your excellency.  --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

   4. (Elec.) Induction.

   Syn: Control; persuasion; ascendency; sway; power; authority;
        supremacy; mastery; management; restraint; character;
        reputation; prestige.

Source : WordNet®

influence
     n 1: a power to affect persons or events especially power based
          on prestige etc; "used her parents' influence to get the
          job"
     2: causing something without any direct or apparent effort
     3: a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you
        do; "her wishes had a great influence on his thinking"
     4: the effect of one thing (or person) on another; "the
        influence of mechanical action"
     5: one having power to influence another; "she was the most
        important influence in my life"; "he was a bad influence
        on the children"

influence
     v 1: have and exert influence or effect; "The artist's work
          influenced the young painter"; "She worked on her
          friends to support the political candidate" [syn: {act
          upon}, {work}]
     2: shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often
        determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn: {determine},
         {shape}, {mold}, {regulate}]
     3: induce into action by using one's charm; "She charmed him
        into giving her all his money" [syn: {charm}, {tempt}]