inflict
[ in-flikt ]
/ ɪnˈflɪkt /
verb (used with object)
to impose as something that must be borne or suffered: to inflict punishment.
to impose (anything unwelcome): The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.
to deal or deliver, as a blow.
Origin of inflict
1520–30; < Latin
inflīctus past participle of
inflīgere to strike or dash against, equivalent to
in-
in-2 +
flīg- (stem of
flīgere to beat down) +
-tus past participle suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM inflict
Words nearby inflict
Example sentences from the Web for inflicting
British Dictionary definitions for inflicting
inflict
/ (ɪnˈflɪkt) /
verb (tr)
(often foll by on or upon)
to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)
rare
to cause to suffer; afflict (with)
to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)
Derived forms of inflict
inflictable, adjective inflicter or inflictor, noun infliction, noun inflictive, adjectiveWord Origin for inflict
C16: from Latin
inflīgere to strike (something) against, dash against, from
flīgere to strike