affinity

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun (immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
noun (anthropology) kinship by marriage or adoption; not a blood relationship
noun (biology) state of relationship between organisms or groups of organisms resulting in resemblance in structure or structural parts

From Middle English affinite, from Old French affinité. Ostensibly equivalent to affine + -ity. See also af-.

Elective affinities, I suppose--both grubby. — The Works of Rudyard Kipling: One Volume Edition, Rudyard Kipling
Affinities are the--the--Wait a moment.' — The Man Upstairs and Other Stories, P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
"It's all rot, this talk about affinities. — The Place of Honeymoons, Harold MacGrath

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