a. [a. Fr. afflictif, -ive, f. afflīct- ppl. stem of afflīg-ĕre to AFFLICT, as if ad. L. *afflīctīvus: see -IVE.] Characterized by afflicting; tending to inflict continued pain or distress; distressing, painful; trying, troublesome. Const. to.
1611. Cotgr., Afflictif, afflictive, grieving, molesting, tormenting.
1623. Sanderson, Serm., Ad. Mag. I. iii. (1674), 84. To make the afflictions of this life yet more afflictive.
1670. T. Brooks, Wks. (1867), VI. 176. Losses, crosses, and afflictive dispensations.
1735. Somerville, Chase, II. 191. Afflictive Birch No more the School-boy dreads.
1779. Johnson, L. P., Ascham, Wks. IV. 635. The most afflictive symptom was want of sleep.
1833. I. Taylor, Fanat., vi. 178. A military despotism … is often less active to … country in fact than in name.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., VI. XVI. xv. 313. This afflictive, too aspiring King of Prussia.
