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