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influence

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Influence is defined as to affect a person or thing.

(verb)

An example of influence is for a high school student to complete all of his assignments on time, thereby making his little brother want to do the same.

The definition of influence is the power that someone has over someone or something.

(noun)

An example of influence is the strength that a campaign has to change the mind of potential voters.

See influence in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Astrol. the flowing of an ethereal fluid or power from the stars, thought to affect people's character and actions
1. the power of persons or things to affect others, seen only in its effects
2. the action or effect of such power
the ability of a person or group to produce effects indirectly by means of power based on wealth, high position, etc.
a person or thing that has influence
Elec. the effect of an external field

Origin: OFr < ML influentia, a flowing in < L influens, prp. of influere, to flow in < -in, in + fluere, to flow: see fluctuate

transitive verb influenced, influencing

to exert or have influence on; have an effect on the nature, behavior, development, action, or thought of

See influence in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort: relaxed under the influence of the music; the influence of television on modern life.
Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position: used her parent's influence to get the job.
a. A person who exerts influence: My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
b. An effect or change produced by influence.
a. A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
b. Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.

transitive verb in·flu·enced, in·flu·enc·ing, in·flu·enc·es

To produce an effect on by imperceptible or intangible means; sway.
To affect the nature, development, or condition of; modify. See Synonyms at affect¹.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Medieval Latin īnfluentia, influx

Origin: , from Latin īnfluēns, īnfluent-

Origin: , present participle of īnfluere, to flow in

Origin: : in-, in; see in-²

Origin: + fluere, to flow; see bhleu- in Indo-European roots

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