attachment

attachment 1 arrest, apprehension, detention (see under ARREST vb)

2 Attachment, affection, love denote the feeling which animates a person who is genuinely fond of someone or something.

Attachment and affection differ in that affection usually has for its object a sentient being, whereas that of attachment may be even an inanimate thing

{

an attachment to his profession

}

{

feels a strong attachment to the house in which he lived

}

Attachment implies strong liking, devotion, or loyalty; affection, rather warmth and tenderness of sentiment

{

a profound attachment to the King as king— Belloc

}

{

it cannot show lack of attachment to the principles of the Constitution that she thinks it can be improved— Justice Holmes

}

{

widespread American affection for France— George

}

Affection and love differ in that affection implies a feeling more settled and regulated, less intense or ardent, than love, which alone of the three may connote passion. Thus to one’s friends any one of the three terms may be applicable; to the members of one’s own family, love or affection, but usually not attachment; to God, love (in the sense of reverent devotion), but not affection or attachment; to one’s country, love, especially if ardent patriotism is implied, affection, if the emphasis is upon genuine but not blind devotion, attachment, if allegiance and loyalty are definitely connoted.

Analogous words: fondness, devotedness (see corresponding adjectives at LOVING): devotion, piety, fealty, *fidelity, allegiance

Antonyms: aversion

Contrasted words: *antipathy: estrangement, alienation, disaffection (see corresponding verbs at ESTRANGE)