Etymology Dictionary

AFFLICT,  to harrass.  (L.)   Sir T. More has afflicteth, Works, p. 1080 g.   [The pp. aflyght occurs in Octovian, l. 101; and the pt. t. aflighte in Gower, C. A. i. 327; these are from O.F. afflit (fem. afflite), pp. of afflire, to afflict.   The sb. affliction occurs early, in Rob. of Brunne's tr. of Langtoft, p. 202.]—Lat. afflictus, pp. of affligere, to strike to the ground.—Lat. af- = ad, to, i.e. to the ground; and fligere, to dash, strike, pp. flictus.   Cf. Gk. φλίβειν, θλίβειν, to crush.—✔BHLIGH, to dash down; Fick, i. 703.   ¶ This ✔BHLIGH is but a weakened form of ✔BHLAGH, to strike, whence Lat. flag-ellum, a scourge, and G. bleuen, to strike.   Hence both Flagellate and Blow (in the sense of stroke, hit) are related words.   Der. afflict-ion (Lat. acc. afflictionem, from pp. afflictus); also afflict-ive.