[ad. med.L. afflux-us, n. of action f. afflu-ĕre: see AFFLUE. Cf. mod.Fr. afflux, perh. the direct source of the Eng.]
1. A flowing towards a point; esp. in Med. of humours; also by extension, of air, a crowd of people, etc.
1611. Cotgr., Afflux, an Afflux or Affluence, plentifull access.
1635. N. Carpenter, Geogr. Delin., II. vi. 82. The Affluxe and Refluxe of the Sea—is generall throughout the whole Ocean.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 354. Tubercles of the lungs … are caused by the afflux or congestion of matter.
1794. Sullivan, View of Nat., I. 175. There is no need of the afflux of vital air.
1872. Pall Mall G., 1 Aug., 10/1. The afflux of purchasers has much more than doubled.
2. That which flows into any place; an accession.
1662. Graunt, Bills of Mort., v. (J.). The Cause hereof … must be by new Affluxes to London out of the Countrey.
1859. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., V. 355/1. At this period, they [i.e., the villi] receive an increased afflux of blood.
