affine

1 of 2

noun

af·fine a-ˈfīn

ə-

: a relative by marriage : in-law

affine

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

affinely adverb

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

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 examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1509, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of affine was circa 1509

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