The act or process of carrying outward; the transmission of impulses or energy from a central point or system to the periphery.
From Latin 'efferens' (carrying out), derived from 'ex-' (out) and 'ferre' (to carry, bear). The word was revived in scientific English in the 19th century, particularly in neurology and physiology.
Efference is the opposite of 'afference'—when your brain sends signals OUT to your muscles, that's efference, while signals coming IN are afference, and these paired opposites were invented by scientists needing precise technical vocabulary.
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