Afflict, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Afflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Afflicting.]
Etymology: [L. afflictus, p. p. of affigere to cast down, deject; ad + fligere to strike: cf. OF. aflit, afflict, p. p. Cf. Flagellate.]
1. To strike or cast down; to overthrow. [Obs.] "Reassembling our afflicted powers." Milton.
2. To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to torment. They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. Exod. i. 11. That which was the worst now least afflicts me. Milton.
3. To make low or humble. [Obs.] Spenser. Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth. Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To trouble; grieve; pain; distress; harass; torment; wound; hurt.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Afflict, p. p. & a.
Afflicted. [Obs.] Becon.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for afflict; he lists it under chasten.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.