Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-FLICT', v.t. [L. inflictus, infligo; in and fligo, to strike, Eng. to flog.]

To lay on; to throw or send on; to apply; as, to inflict pain or disgrace; to inflict punishment on an offender. To inflict an office, condition, knowledge, tenderness, &c. on one, as used by Chesterfield, is not an authorized use of the word.