affinity

Pronunciation: ă-fin′i-tē

Definition:

1. In chemistry, the force that impels certain atoms or molecules to bind to or unite with certain other atoms or molecules to form complexes or compounds; chemical attraction.
2. Selective staining of a tissue by a dye or the selective uptake of a dye, chemical, or other substance by a tissue.
3. In psychology and psychiatry, a positive bond or relatedness between people or groups, or a person's positive regard for an object, idea, or activity; a positive cathexis.
4. In immunology, the strength of interaction between an antigen binding site and an antigenic determinant.
5. A biomolecular interaction exhibiting specificity.

[L. affinis, neighboring, fr. ad, to, + finis, end, boundary]

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