Affinity

(af-in'-it-e). Relationship. A synonym of Attraction. A., Chemical, the force exerted at inappreciable distances, and between definite and invariable weights of two or more combining substances, whereby bodies of di imilar nature unite to form new compounds. Contradistinguished from cohesion, which is an attraction between molecules. A., Elective, the preference of one substance for another rather than for a third or fourth. Affinity is spoken of as compound, developed, disposing, divellent, intermediate, quiescent, reciprocal, or synthetic, according to the part it plays, or is conceived to play, in any chemical proce .