influence
noun
the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.
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The interinfluence of French and English literature can be studied in the Breton romances and the romans d'aventure even better than in the epic poetry of the period.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various