a. and sb. [a. Fr. affluent (14th c. Godef.), ad. L. affluent-em, pr. pple. of affluĕre: see AFFLUE.]
A. adj.
† 1. Flowing toward a particular place. Obs.
1432–50. trans. Higden, Rolls Ser. I. 63. The stonys of whom as meltenge thro the veynes of salte mixte among theyme causethe an humor affluente.
1666. Harvey, Morb. Angl., iii. 16 (J.). These parts … are … raised to a greater bulk, by the affluent (flowing to) blood, that’s transmitted (sent down) out of the Mothers body through proper Veins and Arteries into the Womb.
1759. Symmer, Electr., in Phil. Trans., LI. 386. The effluent current must have just as great an effect in separating them, as the affluent can have in bringing or keeping them together.
2. Flowing freely or abundantly.
1816. Southey, Lay of Laureate, Wks. X. 152. And o’er his shoulders broad the affluent mane Dishevell’d hung.
1828. Miss Mitford, Our Village, III. (1863), 30. The beautiful Loddon, always so affluent of water, had overflowed its boundaries.
1863. Burton, Bk. Hunter, 403. In the centre … is an affluent fountain of the clearest water.
3. fig. Of the gifts of fortune, etc.: Flowing in abundance; abundant, copious, plenteous.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, I. xv. (1859), 15. Thy grace alwey hath ben affluent, decrecyng nought … though never so largely thou geue it.
1589. Nashe, Anat. Absurd., 30. Dilating on so affluent an argument.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XIX. 135. Their affluent joys the grateful realms confess.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. Wakef., xxxii. My son was already possessed of a very affluent fortune.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., II. xvii. 625. The graceful and affluent diversity of the Decorated [style].
4. Hence, Flowing or abounding in wealth; wealthy, rich. Also fig. Const. in, rarely of.
1769. Junius Lett., i. 9. No expense should be spared to secure to him an honourable and affluent retreat.
1806. Wilberforce, in Life (1838), III. xix. 246. Considering the number of affluent men connected with Pitt,… a subscription might be made.
1831. W. & M. Howitt, Seasons, 255. The orchards are affluent of pears, plums, and apples.
1837. Disraeli, Venetia, IV. xiii. (1871), 287. Existence felt to her that moment affluent with a blissful excitement.
1846. Prescott, Ferd. & Isab., I. iv. 200. Commodities … beyond the reach of any but the affluent.
1855. H. Reed, Lect. Eng. Lit., v. (1878), 173. The language became affluent in expressions incorporated with it from the literature of antiquity.
B. sb. [The adj. used absol.; prob. after mod. Fr. affluent sb.] A stream flowing into a larger stream or lake; a tributary stream; a feeder.
[Not in Todd 1818, Richardson 1836, Craig 1847.]
1833. Penny Cycl., I. 433. The great Missouri with its affluent the Mississippi. Ibid. The table-land in which the Mississippi and the affluents of Lake Superior rise.
1853. Phillips, Rivers of Yorksh., iii. 104. The only remaining affluent of importance on its northern banks, viz. the river Hull.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 4. As the Thames rolls along, it receives a number of these feeders, or affluents.
