influence
     n 1: a power to affect persons or events especially power based
          on prestige etc; "used her parents' influence to get the
          job"
     2: causing something without any direct or apparent effort
     3: a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you
        do; "her wishes had a great influence on his thinking"
     4: the effect of one thing (or person) on another; "the
        influence of mechanical action"
     5: one having power to influence another; "she was the most
        important influence in my life"; "he was a bad influence
        on the children"
     v 1: have and exert influence or effect; "The artist's work
          influenced the young painter"; "She worked on her
          friends to support the political candidate" [syn: {act
          upon}, {work}]
     2: shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often
        determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn: {determine},
         {shape}, {mold}, {regulate}]
     3: induce into action by using one's charm; "She charmed him
        into giving her all his money" [syn: {charm}, {tempt}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0