affectation

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₁kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Proto-Italic *adfakjō Proto-Italic *adfaktāō Latin affectō Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin affectātiōder. Middle French affectationbor. ▲ Latin affectātiōbor. English affectation From Middle French affectation and its etymon Latin affectātiōnem, from affectō (“to feign”). By surface analysis, affect + -ation.

1. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.

   “This poem is strongly tinctured with those pedantic affectations concerning the passion of love ...”

   “[T]hey were not the spoiled children of affectation and refinement, but a bold, vigorous, independent race of thinkers, with prodigious strength and energy, with none but natural grace, and heartfelt unobtrusive delicacy.”

2. An unusual mannerism.
3. An ostentatious fondness for something.

   “The grace diuineſt Mercvrie hath done me, / In this vouchſafde diſcouerie of himſelfe, / Binds my obſeruance in the vtmoſt terme / Of ſatisfaction, to his godly will: / Though I profeſſe (without the affectation / Of an enforc’d, and form’d auſteritie) / I could be willing to enioy no place / With ſo vnequall natures.”

   “Her upper part of decent diſcipline / Shew’d affecation of an ancient line: / And fathers, councils, church and churches head, / Were on her reverend Phylacteries read.”