affectation

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂éd
2. Proto-Italic*ad
3. Proto-Italic*ad-
4. Latinad-
5. Proto-Indo-European*dʰeh₁-
6. Proto-Indo-European*dʰeh₁k-
7. Proto-Indo-European*dʰh₁kyéti
8. Proto-Italic*θakjō
9. Proto-Italic*fakjō
10. Latinfaciō
11. Latinafficiō
12. Latinaffectō
13. Latinaffectātiō
14. Middle Frenchaffectation
15. Latinaffectātiō
16. English todayaffectation

From Middle French affectation and its etymon Latin affectātiōnem, from affectō (“to feign”). By surface analysis, affect + -ation.

First known use, by meaning

• from 1548 An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.
• from 1542 An ostentatious fondness for something.