Infliction Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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infliction
[ɪnˈflɪkʃən ]
Definition
causing harm
Infliction refers to the act of causing something unpleasant or painful to be suffered or experienced by someone or something. It often involves the imposition of a burden, suffering, or distress. The term can be used in both legal and informal contexts to describe the imposition of punishment or hardship.
Synonyms
burden, imposition, infliction of pain, suffering.
Examples of usage
- The infliction of pain during the torture was barbaric.
- The infliction of emotional distress can have long-lasting effects.
- They condemned the infliction of severe punishment on children.
- The infliction of the wounds was evident in the victim's state.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Research shows that inflicting pain can sometimes be a method of coping with emotional distress.
- People might unintentionally inflict emotional pain on others when they are unaware of their own feelings.
Law
- In legal contexts, infliction of harm can lead to serious consequences, such as assault charges.
- There are distinctions between intentional infliction and negligent infliction of emotional distress in law.
Literature
- Various literary works explore themes of infliction, depicting how characters either cause or suffer pain.
- Tragedies often revolve around the infliction of suffering, either by fate or human actions, reflecting moral lessons.
Pop Culture
- In many horror films, infliction of pain is a central theme, showcasing the darker sides of human nature.
- Video games often involve mechanics of infliction, where players can cause damage to opponents.
Origin of 'infliction'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'inflictio', which means 'to strike upon'.
- It combines 'in-', meaning 'on' or 'upon', with 'flectere', which means 'to bend' or 'to strike'.
The word 'infliction' comes from the Latin 'influxio', which is derived from 'influere,' meaning 'to flow in.' The term evolved through Old French in the Middle Ages and entered the English language in the 15th century. Initially, it carried a more general sense of the act of causing or bringing in, but over time, it became more specific to the idea of causing harm or suffering. Legal contexts have particularly adopted the term, often referring to the infliction of penalties, damages, or emotional distress upon individuals. As language evolved, the connotation of 'infliction' became increasingly associated with negative outcomes, particularly in the context of pain or hardship being imposed on others.