affine

noun

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af·fine | \ a-ˈfīn

, ə- \

Definition of affine

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a relative by marriage : in-law

affine

adjective

Definition of affine (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, or being a transformation (such as a translation, a rotation, or a uniform stretching) that carries straight lines into straight lines and parallel lines into parallel lines but may alter distance between points and angles between lines affine geometry

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Examples of affine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Ruby Prosser Scully at New Scientist reports that the researchers found a species called Sphagnum affine, or bog moss, in Ötzi’s colon. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 1 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The affine wealth model has been applied to empirical data from many countries and epochs. — Bruce M. Boghosian, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affine

Noun

borrowed from Anglo-French affin, going back to Latin affīnis "neighbor, relation by marriage," noun derivative of affīnis "bordering (on), related by marriage" — more at affinity

Adjective

borrowed from New Latin affīnis, taken to mean "having affinity," going back to Latin, "bordering (on), connected (with)" — more at affinity