influence

• Noun

  1. The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.
  2. An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
  3. A person or thing exerting such power or action.
  4. An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
  5. (obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.
  6. Electrostatic induction.

• Verb