What is "influent"

Influent \In"flu*ent\ ([i^]n"fl[-u]*ent), a. [L. influens, -entis, p. pr. of influere, influxum, to flow in; pref. in- in + fluere to flow. See Fluid.]

1. Flowing in. ``With influent tide.''
   --Cowper. ``Influent odors.''
   --Mrs. Browning.

2. Exerting influence; influential. [Obs.]

   I find no office by name assigned unto Dr. Cox, who was virtually influent upon all, and most active.
   --Fuller.

mid-15c., "abundant," in reference to occult power of the stars, etc., also of grace, from Latin influentem (nominative influens), present participle of influere “to flow in” (see influence).

a. 1 flow in. 2 Exercising astral influence. 3 (context ecology English) That is an influent. n. 1 A stream which flows into another stream or lake; general for fluids flowing in. 2 (context ecology English) An organism having an important effect on a plant or animal community.

adj. that is flowing inward [syn: inflowing]