affair

English

/əˈfɛɹ/, /əˈfɛə(ɹ)/, /əˈfɛə/

noun
Definitions
  • (often in the plural) Something which is done or is to be done; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public.
  • Any proceeding or action which it is wished to refer to or characterize vaguely.
  • (military) An action or engagement not of sufficient magnitude to be called a battle.
  • A material object (vaguely designated).
  • An adulterous relationship. (from affaire de cœur).
  • A romantic relationship with someone who is not one's regular partner (boyfriend, girlfriend).
  • A person with whom someone has an adulterous relationship.
  • A party or social gathering, especially of a formal nature.
  • (slang) The (male or female) genitals.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English afere derived from Old French afaire derived from Latin ad- (to, towards, at, near, toward, upon, prefix meaning to, up to, against).

Origin

Latin

ad-

Gloss

to, towards, at, near, toward, upon, prefix meaning to, up to, against

Concept
Semantic Field

Spatial relations

Ontological Category

Other

Kanji

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms