influence

Definitions

in- (in) + flu (flow) + -ence (state) = 'a flowing in.' Medieval astrology imagined an invisible fluid streaming in from the stars to shape human affairs. The stars dropped out, but the picture of an unseen force flowing into you and changing you became the modern meaning: the power to affect things.

Why It Means This

The word literally means 'a flowing in' (in- + flu). It came from the medieval belief that an ethereal fluid flowed in from the stars and governed people's lives — which is also why the flu (influenza) was blamed on stellar 'influence.' The astrology is gone, but the metaphor remains: influence is a force that flows in and shapes you from the inside.

Common Collocations

• 1.have an influence on对……有影响
• 2.under the influence of在……的影响下
• 3.exert influence施加影响
• 4.a major influence重要影响
• 5.good/bad influence好／坏的影响

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Her teacher had a lasting influence on her choice of career.

• 2.

  The two countries try to influence each other's policies.

• 3.

  He used his influence to get his friend the job.

Easily Confused

influence vs affect — both mean 'have an effect on,' but affect is direct and often immediate (the heat affected the engine), while influence works gradually and through persuasion or example (a mentor influences your thinking). You can affect a machine; you influence a person's choices.