afferent
1 of 2adjective
af·fer·ent ˈa-fə-rənt 
-ˌfer-ənt,
-ˌfe-rənt
: bearing or conducting inward
specifically : conveying impulses toward the central nervous system compare efferent
afferently adverb
afferent
2 of 2noun
: an afferent vessel (as a blood or lymphatic vessel) or nerve
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Anne Saker, The Enquirer, 15 Sep. 2020
Noun
When a touch stimulates the C-tactile afferent, the body releases the hormone oxytocin, which regulates good moods. Anne Saker, The Enquirer, 15 Sep. 2020 Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from French afférent, borrowed from Latin afferent-, afferens, present participle of afferre "to bring along or with," from ad- ad- + ferre "to carry" — more at bear entry 2
Noun
derivative of afferent entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1828, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1949, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
afferent 1 of 2
adjective
af·fer·ent ˈaf-ə-rənt -ˌer-ənt
-ˌer-ənt : bearing or conducting inward
specifically : conveying impulses toward the central nervous system compare efferent entry 1
afferent
2 of 2noun
: an afferent anatomical part (as a nerve)
the effect on the hypothalamus of afferents from the stomach
afferent
adjective
as in sensory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sensory
- receptive
- sensorial
- sensuous
- sensual
- sensitive
- sensate
- sensational
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extrasensory
- intuitional
- decentralisations
- decentralise
- decentralised
- decentralises
- decentralising
- decentralism
- decentralist
- decentralization
- decentralizations
- decentralize
- decentralized
- decentralizes
- decentralizing
- decentred
- decentres
- decentring
- decephalization
- deception
- deceptional
- deceptions
- deceptious
- deceptiously
- deceptive
- deceptive cadence
- deceptively