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   influence

   /ˈɪnflʊəns/

   noun

   • 1. the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself: "the influence of television violence" Similar effectimpactcontrolswayholdpowerauthorityascendancymasterydominationsupremacyleadershipguidancedirectionpressure
   • ▪ the power to shape policy or ensure favourable treatment from someone, especially through status, contacts, or wealth: "the institute has considerable influence with teachers" Similar powerauthorityswayleverageweightstandingprestigestaturerankrankingpositionsocial positionstationconnectionscontactsweightageinformal:cloutpullmuscleteethdrag
   • ▪ a person or thing with the capacity to have an influence on someone or something: "Fiona was a good influence on her" Similar example to/forexemplar forrole model formodel forguide forinspiration to
   • 2. electrical or magnetic induction. archaic

   verb

   • 1. have an influence on: "sometimes simple changes in a business environment can influence behaviour" Similar affecthave an effect onexert influence ondetermineguidecontrolformshapegoverndecideregulatechangealtermodifytransformimpact onswaybiasaffectprejudicecolourpredisposesubornbring pressure to bear onpressurizecoercelean oninformal:pull strings withtwist someone's armnobblepersuadeconvincetalk roundtalk intowin overbring roundswaycoaxinduceinveigleimpelinciteenticetemptlurecajolemanipulatepromptcoercedragoonintimidatebrowbeatbrainwash

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from medieval Latin influentia ‘inflow’, from Latin influere, from in- ‘into’ + fluere ‘to flow’. The word originally had the general sense ‘an influx, flowing matter’, also specifically (in astrology) ‘the flowing in of ethereal fluid (affecting human destiny)’. The sense ‘imperceptible or indirect action exerted to cause changes’ was established in Scholastic Latin by the 13th century, but not recorded in English until the late 16th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. influenceable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 14

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