influence

influence
I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin influentia, from Latin influent-, influens, present participle of influere to flow in, from in- + fluere to flow — more at fluid Date: 14th century 1. a. an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans b. an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars 2. an emanation of spiritual or moral force 3. a. the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b. corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 4. the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways ; sway 5. one that exerts influence Synonyms: influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously <
used her influence to get the bill passed
>
. authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief <
his opinions lacked authority
>
. prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority <
the prestige of the newspaper
>
. weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices <
their wishes obviously carried much weight
>
. credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others <
his credit with the press
>
. II. transitive verb (-enced; -encing) Date: 1658 1. to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means ; sway 2. to have an effect on the condition or development of ; modify Synonyms: see affectinfluenceable adjective

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • INFLUENCE — Dans le langage scientifique, une sorte de coexistence s’instaure fréquemment entre deux niveaux de conceptualisation, l’un assez proche de la langue courante, où le terme est employé dans un sens générique très large et désigne plutôt une notion …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • influence — in·flu·ence n 1 a: the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b: corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 2: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or… …   Law dictionary

  • influence — n Influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit are comparable when they mean power exerted over the minds or acts of others either without apparent effort or as the result of the qualities, the position, or the reputation of the person or thing …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Influence — In flu*ence ([i^]n fl[ u]*ens), n. [F. influence, fr. L. influens, entis, p. pr. See {Influent}, and cf. {Influenza}.] 1. A flowing in or upon; influx. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] God hath his influence into the very essence of all things. Hooker.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Influence — may refer to: *, an episode of the American drama TV series *A type of electrostatic generator *Social influence, in interpersonal relationships *Minority influence, when the minority affect the behavior or beliefs of the majority *Undue… …   Wikipedia

  • influence — [in′flo͞o əns, in flo͞o′əns] n. [OFr < ML influentia, a flowing in < L influens, prp. of influere, to flow in < in, in + fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE] 1. Astrol. the flowing of an ethereal fluid or power from the stars, thought to… …   English World dictionary

  • influence — ► NOUN 1) the power or ability to affect someone s beliefs or actions. 2) a person or thing with such ability or power. 3) the power arising out of status, contacts, or wealth. 4) the power to produce a physical change. ► VERB ▪ have an influence …   English terms dictionary

  • Influence — In flu*ence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Influenced} ([i^]n fl[ u]*enst); p. pr. & vb. n. {Influencing} ([i^]n fl[ u]*en*s[i^]ng).] To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • influence — Influence. s. f. Qualité, puissance, vertu qui decoule des astres sur les corps sublunaires. Bonne influence. maligne influence. les diverses influences des astres font la varieté du temps …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • influencé — influencé, ée (in flu an sé, sée) part. passé d influencer. Influencé par sa femme …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • influence — [n] power, authority access, agency, ascendancy, character, clout, command, connections, consequence, control, credit, direction, domination, dominion, drag, effect, esteem, fame, fix, force, grease*, guidance, hold, impact, importance, imprint,… …   New thesaurus

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