affligere

Afflige­re is a verb form found in several European language traditions, used to mean to cause distress, trouble, or suffering to someone or something. It can denote physical harm, emotional hardship, or moral oppression, and is typically encountered in formal, religious, or literary contexts. In many languages, afflige­re-type verbs appear in historical or doctrinal texts rather than everyday speech.

Etymology and cognates are commonly traced to Latin roots such as affligere or afflīgere, with numerous Romance-language descendants (for example, French affliger, Spanish afligir, Italian affliggere, Portuguese afligir). The core semantic field relates to the idea of pressing upon, striking, or burdening, which has broadened metaphorically to refer to suffering or maladive influence. In Germanic and other language families, cognate forms developed that preserve the sense of causing distress or hardship.

Usage and context vary by language. In modern English, afflige is rare and largely found in translations, historical passages, or discussions of etymology, where afflict remains the standard term. In Romance languages, corresponding verbs are commonly used in contemporary speech, literature, and journalism. In Scandinavian and some other European traditions, older or dialectal forms related to afflige­re may appear in religious or ceremonial texts.

See also: afflict, affliction, distress, suffering, oppression.