4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Influence  \In"flu*ence\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Influenced};  p. 
  pr  &  vb  n.  {Influencing}.] 
  To  control  or  move  by  power,  physical  or  moral;  to  affect  by 
  gentle  action  to  exert  an  influence  upon  to  modify,  bias, 
  or  sway;  to  move  to  persuade;  to  induce. 
 
  Theseexperiments  succeed  after  the  same  manner  in  vacuo 
  as  in  the  open  air,and  therefore  are  not  influenced  by 
  the  weight  or  pressure  of  the  atmosphere.  --Sir  I. 
  Newton. 
 
  This  standing  revelation  .  .  .  is  sufficient  to 
  influence  their  faith  and  practice,  if  they  attend. 
  --Attebury. 
 
  The  principle  which  influenced  their  obedience  has  lost 
  its  efficacy.  --Rogers. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Influence  \In"flu*ence\,  n.  [F.  influence,  fr  L.  influens, 
  -entis,  p.  pr  See  {Influent},  and  cf  {Influenza}.] 
  1.  A  flowing  in  or  upon  influx.  [Obs.] 
 
  God  hath  his  influence  into  the  very  essence  of  all 
  things  --Hooker. 
 
  2.  Hence  in  general,  the  bringing  about  of  an  effect, 
  phusical  or  moral,  by  a  gradual  process;  controlling  power 
  quietly  exerted;  agency,  force,  or  tendency  of  any  kind 
  which  the  sun  exerts  on  animal  and  vegetable  life;  the 
  influence  of  education  on  the  mind;  the  influence, 
  according  to  astrologers,of  the  stars  over  affairs. 
 
  Astrologers  call  the  evil  influences  of  the 
  stars,evil  aspects.  --Bacon. 
 
  Cantsthou  bind  the  sweet  influences  of  Pleiades,  or 
  loose  the  bands  of  Orion  ?  --Job  xxxviii 
  31. 
 
  She  said  :  ?Ah,dearest  lord  !  what  evil  star  On  you 
  hath  frown'd,and  poured,  his  influence  bad  ?'' 
  --Spenser. 
 
  3.  Power  or  authority  arising  from  elevated  station, 
  excelence  of  character  or  intellect,  wealth,  etc.; 
  reputation;  acknowledged  ascendency;  as  he  is  a  man  of 
  influence  in  the  community. 
 
  Such  influence  hath  your  excellency.  --Sir  P. 
  Sidney. 
 
  4.  (Elec.)  Induction. 
 
  Syn:  Control;  persuasion;  ascendency;  sway;  power;  authority; 
  supremacy;  mastery;  management;  restraint;  character; 
  reputation;  prestige. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  influence 
  n  1:  a  power  to  affect  persons  or  events  esp  power  based  on 
  prestige  etc:  "used  her  parents'  influence  to  get  the 
  job" 
  2:  causing  something  without  any  direct  or  apparent  effort 
  3:  a  cognitive  factor  that  tends  to  have  an  effect  on  what  you 
  do  "her  wishes  had  a  great  influence  on  his  thinking" 
  4:  the  effect  of  one  thing  (or  person)  on  another;  "the 
  influence  of  mechanical  action" 
  5:  one  having  power  to  influence  another:  "she  was  the  most 
  important  influence  in  my  life";  "he  was  a  bad  influence 
  on  the  chldren" 
  v  1:  have  and  exert  influence  or  effect  [syn:  {act  upon}] 
  2:  shape  or  influence;  give  direction  to  "experience  often 
  determines  ability"  [syn:  {determine},  {shape},  {regulate}] 
  3:  induce  into  action  by  using  one's  charm;  "She  charmed  him 
  into  giving  her  all  his  money"  [syn:  {charm},  {tempt}] 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  INFLUENCE,  n.  In  politics,  a  visionary  _quo_  given  in  exchange  for  a 
  substantial  _quid_. 
 
 

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