afference

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/ˈæfəɹəns/

noun

The brain’s reception of signals from the body.

OriginFrench afférent ← Latin afferent- →
Scrabble 17
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Meanings

nounafference (countable and uncountable, plural afferences)

plural afferences

  1. countableuncountablebiologyThe brain’s reception of signals from the body.

    Christina had lost this normal inflow, this afference, had lost her normal proprioceptive vocal tone and posture, and therefore had to use her ears, auditory feedback, instead.

    1984, Oliver Sacks, “The Disembodied Lady”, chapter 3 in The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (Reset 2007), page 53

Origin

  1. Latinafferent-
  2. Frenchafférent“which brings inward”
  3. Englishafference

Adjective form of afferent, from French afférent (“which brings inward”), from Latin afferent-, from afferēns, present participle of afferre (“bring to”), from af- (variant of ad-) + ferre (“bear”). Doublet of afferentia.

More words from French, Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Portuguese aferência
  • aferênciabrain’s reception of signals from the body
Cite this entry
APA

afference. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/afference

MLA

“afference.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/afference. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “afference,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/afference.

Source: afference on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.