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affectation

affectation, pretension

noun ah-fek-tah-SYOHN Rare
Mind & Emotions Attitudes

Origin: Latin affectatio, from affectare (to aim at)

Also means

assignment, posting

Usage Note

Affectation most often means affected mannerism or pretension in French, as in speaking with an air of superiority. A less common but valid sense is official assignment to a post or duty, as in l'affectation d'un poste. The verb affecter covers both senses and also means 'to affect emotionally'.

Examples

"Elle parle avec une affectation insupportable."

Natural Translation

She speaks with unbearable affectation.

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