Affinity (Noun)
Meaning 1
The force attracting atoms to each other and binding them together in a molecule; "basic dyes have an affinity for wool and silk".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The chemical properties of the elements determine their affinity for forming compounds with other elements of the periodic table.
- The metal cation has a high affinity for water molecules, allowing the solution to dissolve easily.
- Studies indicate that the oxygen atom in the molecule has an affinity for the hydrogen atoms of the solvent.
- The high affinity of phosphorus for oxygen is responsible for the formation of phosphate ions.
- The protein binds to the ligand due to its high affinity for both metal ions and the binding site itself.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
A natural attraction or feeling of kinship; "an affinity for politics"; "the mysterious affinity between them"; "James's affinity with Sam".
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- Her passion for art was evident in her hobby, showing a natural affinity for painting and drawing.
- She had an affinity with animals that allowed her to understand and connect with them on a deep level.
- Scientists have yet to understand the affinity between certain plants and microorganisms that support each other's growth.
- Her travels led her to discover an affinity for different cultures and traditions, changing her life perspective.
- There was an instant affinity between the old friends who had not seen each other since university days.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
(anthropology) kinship by marriage or adoption; not a blood relationship.
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- Her affinity to her husband's family grew stronger over the years through shared rituals and traditions.
- In some cultures, affinity through marriage is considered as important as blood ties.
- The concept of affinity highlights the significance of marital relationships in constructing social kinship networks.
- In anthropology, affinity is often analyzed in conjunction with consanguinity to understand the complex dynamics of kinship.
- As a result of her adoption, the child established a strong affinity with her new family members despite the lack of a biological connection.
Antonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 4
(biology) state of relationship between organisms or groups of organisms resulting in resemblance in structure or structural parts; "in anatomical structure prehistoric man shows close affinity with modern humans".
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- Comparative anatomy revealed an affinity between the two extinct species and modern-day birds.
- In terms of DNA, the scientists found a notable affinity between the ancient fossils and modern mammals.
- The anatomical features of the discovered species showed a striking affinity to those of modern apes.
- Molecular studies have demonstrated an affinity between the two bacterial groups that were previously considered unrelated.
- Their research found substantial affinity between the physical characteristics of ancient humans and present-day Europeans.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
A close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character; "found a natural affinity with the immigrants"; "felt a deep kinship with the other students"; "anthropology's kinship with the humanities".
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- She discovered a strong affinity with her colleagues due to their shared passion for environmental conservation.
- The musical piece showcased a striking affinity with the band's previous work, blending similar melodies and rhythms.
- Researchers found a surprising affinity between the two seemingly unrelated species of plants, which sparked further investigation.
- As a novelist, she felt an affinity with the romantic authors of the 19th century, drawing inspiration from their works.
- The artist's unique style revealed a deep affinity with abstract expressionism, characterized by bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes.
Synonyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 6
Inherent resemblance between persons or things.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- She felt an instant affinity with her new coworker due to their similar sense of humor and interests.
- The siblings had an undeniable affinity with each other despite their vastly different personalities.
- Their affinity with the environment was reflected in their charitable donation to a wildlife conservation organization.
- He discovered an unexpected affinity with the art of photography during a trip to Europe.
- There was a noticeable affinity between the business partners, who seemed to understand each other's thoughts without needing words.
Meaning 7
(immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The affinity between an antigen and an antibody determines the stability of the complex formed during an immune response.
- Monoclonal antibodies are widely used due to their high affinity for specific antigens.
- Research has shown that the affinity of antibodies for viral antigens is critical for effective antiviral immunity.
- Increasing the affinity of antibodies is often the goal in many therapeutic applications to enhance their efficacy.
- One of the necessary steps in the development of a vaccine is determining the affinity between antibodies and the antigen of interest.