Main Entry:

¹af·fer·ent

Pronunciation:

\ˈa-fə-rənt, -ˌfer-ənt, -ˌfe-rənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Latin afferent-, afferens, present participle of afferre to bring to, from ad- + ferre to bear — more at bear

Date:

circa 1847

: bearing or conducting inward ; specifically : conveying impulses toward the central nervous system — compare efferent

— af·fer·ent·ly adverb