affine

1 of 2

noun

af·​fine a-ˈfīn How to pronounce affine (audio)
ə-
: a relative by marriage : in-law

affine

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a transformation (such as a translation, a rotation, or a uniform stretching) that carries straight lines into straight lines and parallel lines into parallel lines but may alter distance between points and angles between lines
affine geometry
affinely adverb

Examples of affine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ruby Prosser Scully at New Scientist reports that the researchers found a species called Sphagnum affine, or bog moss, in Ötzi’s colon. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 1 Nov. 2019
Adjective
The affine wealth model has been applied to empirical data from many countries and epochs. Bruce M. Boghosian, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Anglo-French affin, going back to Latin affīnis "neighbor, relation by marriage," noun derivative of affīnis "bordering (on), related by marriage" — more at affinity

Adjective

borrowed from New Latin affīnis, taken to mean "having affinity," going back to Latin, "bordering (on), connected (with)" — more at affinity

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1509, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of affine was circa 1509

Dictionary Entries Near affine

Cite this Entry

“Affine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affine. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

affine

noun
af·​fine a-ˈfīn, ə- How to pronounce affine (audio)
: a relative by marriage compare blood relative
affinal
-ˈfī-nəl
adjective
Etymology

Noun

Middle French affin, from Latin affinis, from affinis related, from ad to + finis end, border

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