Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to tissues in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes chronic bronchitis, in which the bronchi (large air passages) are inflamed and scarred, and emphysema, in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) are damaged.
Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition: 1  affluent(noun) an affluent person; a person who is financially well off. the so-called emerging affluents. 2  feeder, tributary, confluent, affluent(adj) a branch that flows into the main stream.
Contribute to our Open Dictionary. 1  1. literary a young member of a rich or important family Synonyms and related words. People from an upper social class:the upper class, aristocracy, the nobility... 2  2. science a part that is cut from a plant and fixed to another plant in order to grow there Synonyms and related words.