to act on; produce an effect or change in

Cold weather affected the crops.

to impress the mind or move the feelings of

The music affected him deeply.

(of pain, disease, etc.) to attack or lay hold of.

Psychology . feeling or emotion.

Psychiatry . an expressed or observed emotional response

Restricted, flat, or blunted affect may be a symptom of mental illness, especially schizophrenia.

Obsolete . affection; passion; sensation; inclination; inward disposition or feeling.

verb

act on , alter , change , disturb , impinge , impress , induce , influence , inspire , interest , involve , modify , move , overcome , perturb , prevail , regard , relate , stir , sway , touch , transform , upsetnotes:as a noun , affect means \'a feeling or emotion , \' whereas effect means \'the result or consequence of some action or process\'; as a verb , to affect means \'to exert an influence upon , \' and implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction , whereas to effect means \'to bring about as a result\'effect is a noun referring to a thing , but if you mean an action , that is affect ; if you want the verb meaning \'achieve , bring about , \' that is effect , act , adopt , aspire to , assume , bluff , contrive , counterfeit , do a bit , fake , feign , lay it on thick , make out like , playact , put on , put up a front , sham * , simulate , take onnotes:as a noun , get , strike , pretend , sham , actuate , act upon , bearupon , concern , cultivate , dispose , embrace , fancy , frequent , hit , incline , melt , operate , profess , turn