different between amicable vs affectionate

English

Etymology

From Late Latin am?c?bilis (“friendly”); see amiable.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?æ.m?.k?.b?l/

Adjective

amicable (comparative more amicable, superlative most amicable)

1. Showing friendliness or goodwill.

   They hoped to reach an amicable agreement.

   He was an amicable fellow with an easy smile.

Usage notes

Amicable is particularly used of relationships or agreements (especially legal proceedings, such as divorce), with meaning ranging from simply “not quarrelsome, mutually consenting” to “quite friendly”. By contrast, the similar term amiable is especially used to mean “pleasant, lovable”, such as an “amiable smile”.

Derived terms

Related terms

• amiable
• amity

Translations

References

Further reading

• amicable in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• amicable in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• amicable at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology 1

Partly from Latin affectionatus, partly from affection + -ate. Doublet of aficionado.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??f?k??n?t/
• Hyphenation: af?fec?tion?ate

Adjective

affectionate (comparative more affectionate, superlative most affectionate)

1. (of a person) Having affection or warm regard; loving; fond.

   She eulogised her always warm and affectionate brother.

2. (of an action, etc.) Characterised by or proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender.

   the affectionate care of a parent; an affectionate countenance; an affectionate message; affectionate language

   • 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, The House Behind the Cedars, Chapter I,

     Warwick left the undertaker's shop and retraced his steps until he had passed the lawyer's office, toward which he threw an affectionate glance.

3. (obsolete) Eager; passionate; strongly inclined toward something.

Synonyms

• tender; lovesome; attached; loving; devoted; warm; fond; earnest; ardent.
• See also Thesaurus:affectionate

Derived terms

• affectionately

Related terms

• affect
• affectation
• affecter
• affective
• affection

Translations

Etymology 2

Either from the adjective, or from affection + -ate (modelled on Middle French affectionner).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??f?k??ne?t/

Verb

affectionate (third-person singular simple present affectionates, present participle affectionating, simple past and past participle affectionated)

1. (rare) To show affection to; to have affection for.
2. (obsolete, reflexive) To emotionally attach (oneself) to.
   • , Folio Society, 2006, p.21:

     Plutarch saith fitly of those who affectionate themselves to Monkies and little Dogges, that […].

   • 1721, John Rushworth, Historical Collections Of Private Passages of State, etc.: 1618—1629, Volume 1, page 222,

     And fir?t, his Maje?ty would have you to under?tand, That there was never any King more loving to his People, or better affectionated to the right u?e of Parliaments, than his Maje?ty hath approved him?elf to be, […].

   • 1838 February 1, Charles Dickens, To Catherine Dickens, 2012, Jenny Hartley (editor), The Selected Letters of Charles Dickens, page 41,

     Ever my dear Kate your affectionated husband

     CHARLES DICKENS

Latin

Adjective

affecti?n?te

1. vocative masculine singular of affecti?n?tus

Scots

Adjective

affectionate (comparative mair affectionate, superlative maist affectionate)

1. affectionate

References

• Eagle, Andy, ed. (2016) The Online Scots Dictionary, Scots Online.