Showing feelings of love or liking for someone through kind words, hugs, or gentle behavior.
From Old French 'affectionne,' derived from Latin 'affectio' meaning emotion or disposition. The root 'affectus' means influenced or moved emotionally, originally a past participle of 'afficere.'
Different cultures show affection completely differently—some through physical touch, others through gift-giving or time spent together—yet English uses the single word 'affectionate' for all of them, hiding how much variation exists underneath.
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