efferent

[ ef-er-uh nt ]
/ ˈɛf ər ənt /
Anatomy, Physiology

adjective

conveying or conducting away from an organ or part (opposed to afferent).

noun

an efferent part, as a nerve or blood vessel.

Origin of efferent

1830–40; < Latin efferent- (stem of efferēns carrying off, present participle of efferre), equivalent to ef- ef- + ferent- carrying ( fer- carry + -ent- -ent)

OTHER WORDS FROM efferent

ef·fer·ence, noun ef·fer·ent·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH efferent

afferent efferent

British Dictionary definitions for efference

efferent
/ (ˈɛfərənt) /

adjective

carrying or conducting outwards from a part or an organ of the body, esp from the brain or spinal cord Compare afferent

Derived forms of efferent

efference, noun efferently, adverb

Word Origin for efferent

C19: from Latin efferre to bear off, from ferre to bear

Medical definitions for efference

efferent
[ ĕfər-ənt ]

adj.

Directed away from a central organ or section.

n.

An efferent organ or body part, such as a blood vessel.

Scientific definitions for efference

efferent
[ ĕfər-ənt ]

Carrying motor impulses away from a central organ or part, as a nerve that conducts impulses from the central nervous system to the periphery of the body. Compare afferent.