Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin affectiōnātus. By surface analysis, affection + -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Doublet of aficionado.
1
Of a person Having affection or warm regard; loving; fond.
She eulogised her always warm and affectionate brother.
2
Usually, Of an action Characterised by or proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender.
the affectionate care of a parent; an affectionate countenance; an affectionate message; affectionate language
Warwick left the undertaker's shop and retraced his steps until he had passed the lawyer's office, toward which he threw an affectionate glance.1900, Charles W[addell] Chesnutt, chapter I, in The House Behind the Cedars, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […], →OCLC:
Etymology Either from the above adjective by metanalysis or from affection + -ate (verb-forming suffix) (modelled on Middle French affectionner (French affectionner)).
Plutarch saith fitly of those who affectionate themselves to Monkies and little Dogges, that […]., Folio Society, 2006, p.21
And firſt, his Majeſty would have you to underſtand, That there was never any King more loving to his People, or better affectionated to the right uſe of Parliaments, than his Majeſty hath approved himſelf to be,[…].1721, John Rushworth, Historical Collections Of Private Passages of State, etc.: 1618—1629, volume 1, page 222:
1 more example
1838 February 1, Charles Dickens, To Catherine Dickens, 2012, Jenny Hartley (editor), The Selected Letters of Charles Dickens, page 41, Ever my dear Kate your affectionated husband CHARLES DICKENS