af·fec·tion 
/əˈfɛkʃən/ noun
plural af·fec·tions /əˈfɛkʃən/ noun 1 : a feeling of liking and caring for someone or something [noncount] ▪ She has/feels deep affection for her parents. ▪ Their affection for each other is obvious. = Their mutual affection is obvious. ▪ He shows great affection for his grandchildren. ▪ feelings of love and affection ▪ He now looks back on those years with great affection. ▪ “darling” and other terms of affection [=words and names that friends and lovers say to each other to show their affection] [singular] ▪ She developed a deep affection for that country and its people. 2 affections [plural] : feelings of love : a person's romantic feelings
▪ The two women competed for the affections [=love, heart] of the same man. ▪ She's been the object of his affections since they were children. [=he has loved her since they were children]
▪ The two women competed for the affections [=love, heart] of the same man. ▪ She's been the object of his affections since they were children. [=he has loved her since they were children]
