affinity meaning and definition

AFFINITY noun

Definition of affinity (noun)

1. (immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
2. (anthropology) kinship by marriage or adoption; not a blood relationship
   • antonym: blood kinship
3. (biology) state of relationship between organisms or groups of organisms resulting in resemblance in structure or structural parts
   • "in anatomical structure prehistoric man shows close affinity with modern humans"
   • synonyms: phylogenetic relation
4. a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character
   • "found a natural affinity with the immigrants"; "felt a deep kinship with the other students"; "anthropology's kinship with the humanities"
   • synonyms: kinship
5. the force attracting atoms to each other and binding them together in a molecule
   • "basic dyes have an affinity for wool and silk"
   • synonyms: chemical attraction
6. inherent resemblance between persons or things
7. a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
   • "an affinity for politics"; "the mysterious affinity between them"; "James's affinity with Sam"