Caused suffering, pain, or injury to someone; imposed something unwanted or harmful on someone.
From Latin 'infligere,' combining 'in-' (on) and 'fligere' (to strike/beat). The word literally means 'to strike upon' someone with harm. It entered English in the 15th century with its current meaning of causing suffering.
The Latin root 'fligere' (to strike) also gives us 'affliction' and 'conflict'—all words about something striking against you! Medieval battle language became medical/psychological language when we talk about 'inflicting' emotional pain.
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