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.
Full Definition of ARISTOCRACY. 1. : government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class. 2. a: a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified b: a state with such a government.oun arÂ·isÂ·tocÂ·raÂ·cy \Ëa-rÉ-Ëstae-ËstÃ¤-krÉ, sÄ-Ëer-\. É. : tweet the highest social class in some: countries the people who have special (titles such as duke and), duchess who typically own, land and who traditionally have more money and power than the other people in a. society