influent

American  

[in-floo-uhnt] / ˈɪn flu ənt /

adjective

1. flowing in.

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noun

1. a tributary.

2. Ecology. a plant or animal that has an important effect on the biotic balance in a community.

influent British  

/ ˈɪnflʊənt /

adjective

1. flowing in

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noun

1. something flowing in, esp a tributary

2. ecology an organism that has a major effect on the nature of its community

Etymology

Origin of influent

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin influent- (stem of influēns ) inflowing. See in- ², fluent