Afflation

/əˈfleɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The act of breathing or blowing upon something; a breath or breeze; divine or spiritual inspiration.

Etymology

From Latin afflatio, from afflare (ad- 'to' + flare 'to blow'). The -tion suffix creates the noun form. Used in English theology and literature from the 17th century onward.

Kelly Says

In medieval and Renaissance theology, 'afflation' was the literal breath of God moving through creation—a beautiful metaphor that made the invisible divine seem physical and tangible.

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