I. ˈa-fə-rənt, -ˌfer-ənt, -ˌfe-rənt 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
II. noun
Date: 1949
: an afferent anatomical part (as a nerve)