Affairs

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈfɛɹz/

Definitions

1. Issues or activities that attract public attention or concern
2. Matters or undertakings requiring attention or management ; romantic or sexual involvements typically kept secret
3. Events or concerns needing action or resolution ; personal liaisons often private in nature

Etymology: "Affairs" is the plural of "affair", and the singular has a plainer past than its modern spread suggests: it began as a phrase meaning simply "to do". Middle English "afere" came from Old French "afaire", built from "a-" and "faire" ("to do"), which in turn traces back to Latin "ad-" and "facere" ("to do"). The same Latin root gives us "fact", which shares the idea of something done, and the older English word "ado", meaning fuss or bustle. Over time the sense narrowed from any action or business to particular undertakings and then to matters of concern. The plural "affairs" took on the broad sense of one's business, public or private, which is why governments have "foreign affairs" and people speak of their "love affairs". The plural is what has carried the word into everyday speech, while the singular has kept its general sense of a matter or undertaking.

Synonyms: matters, business, concerns