inflict

  • 1Inflict — In*flict , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Inflicted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Inflicting}.] [L. inflictus, p. p. of infligere to strike on, to inflict; pref. in in, on + fligere to strike. Cf. {Flail}.] To give, cause, or produce by striking, or as if by… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2inflict — I verb administer a penalty, administer punishment, agitate, agonize, apply, beset, bring about, bring upon, burden, cause, cause to suffer, coerce, commit, deal, disquiet, distress, enforce, force, force upon, give pain, harass, harm, hurt,… …

    Law dictionary

  • 3inflict — (v.) 1560s, from L. inflictus, pp. of infligere to strike or dash against, from in on, against (see IN (Cf. in ) (2)) + fligere (pp. flictus) to dash, strike (see AFFLICT (Cf. afflict)). You inflict trouble on someone; you af …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4inflict — inflict, afflict Both words are concerned with the suffering of unpleasant circumstances, but they have different constructions. Inflict has the unpleasantness as object, and afflict has the victim: • He knew also that the greater part of the… …

    Modern English usage

  • 5inflict — ► VERB (inflict on) 1) cause (something unpleasant or painful) to be suffered by. 2) impose (something unwelcome) on. DERIVATIVES infliction noun. ORIGIN Latin infligere strike against …

    English terms dictionary

  • 6inflict — [v] impose something administer, apply, bring upon, command, deal out, deliver, dispense, exact, expose, extort, force, force upon, give, give it to*, lay down the law*, levy, mete out, require, stick it to*, strike, subject, visit, wreak;… …

    New thesaurus

  • 7inflict — [in flikt′] vt. [< L inflictus, pp. of infligere, to strike or beat against < in , on, against + fligere, to strike < IE base * bhlīg̑ , to strike > Welsh blif, catapult] 1. to give or cause (pain, wounds, etc.) by or as by striking;… …

    English World dictionary

  • 8inflict — 01. Our army has [inflicted] heavy casualties on the enemy. 02. She thinks that hunters should be forbidden from [inflicting] suffering upon animals for sport. 03. When parrots are caged for a long time, the boredom can drive them crazy, with the …

    Grammatical examples in English

  • 9inflict — UK [ɪnˈflɪkt] / US verb [transitive] Word forms inflict : present tense I/you/we/they inflict he/she/it inflicts present participle inflicting past tense inflicted past participle inflicted to cause something unpleasant to happen Such a policy… …

    English dictionary

  • 10inflict — v. (D; tr.) to inflict on (to inflict heavy losses on the enemy) * * * [ɪn flɪkt] (D;tr.) to inflict on (to inflict heavy losses on the enemy) …

    Combinatory dictionary