əˈfɪnɪtɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 (often foll. by
between, or disp.
to, for) a
spontaneous or
natural liking for or
attraction to a
person or
thing. 2
relationship,
esp. by
marriage. 3
resemblance in
structure between animals, plants, or languages. 4 a similarity of characters suggesting a relationship. 5 Chem.
the tendency of
certain substances to
combine with others. [ME f. OF afinit÷ f. L affinitas -tatis f. affinis
related,
lit. bordering on (as AD+
finis border)]