From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishafflictionaf‧flic‧tion /əˈflɪkʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable] formal ILLNESS/DISEASEsomething that causes pain or suffering, especially a medical condition the afflictions of old age
Examples from the Corpus
affliction• Because it is an affliction peculiar to women?• The man spits hatred at anyone who sees his humiliation and affliction.• This was diagnosed as impetigo, an unpleasant and contagious affliction.• Life will contain its afflictions and troubles without unjust institutions adding to its lot.• Many afflictions were cured or relieved for those who drank of it and great numbers of people journeyed there on pilgrimages.• Guess who I ran into on the street at the height of my affliction?• Smoking is a major cause of cancer and other afflictions. 