Meanings
plural inflictions
- countableuncountableThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition.
The boot, thumbscrews, the shackles, and a contraption called the "warm hose", were only a few of the inflictions being too terrible to mention.
1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 2211 more example
"What an awful infliction for you, Max. You were always such an impulsive, reckless sort of fellow—never quiet. You must miss such a fearful lot."
1914, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados
Synonyms & antonyms
nounsomething or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Latinīnflīctus
- Latinīnflīctiōnem“imposition”
- Englishinfliction
From Latin īnflīctiōnem (“imposition”), from Latin īnflīctus, from in- + flīctus, past participle of īnflīgō (“to knock or strike against”), from in- + flīgō (“strike”) (whence in-). By surface analysis, inflict + -ion.
More words from Latin
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Catalan inflicció
- infliccióThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
Italian imposizione, irrogazione
- imposizioneThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
- irrogazioneThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
- inflizioneThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
Portuguese inflicção
- inflicçãoThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
Spanish inflicción
- inflicciónThe act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
Ukrainian заподі́яння
- заподі́яння (zapodíjannja)The act of inflicting or something inflicted; an imposition
Cite this entry
infliction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/infliction
“infliction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/infliction. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “infliction,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/infliction.
Source: infliction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.