flux
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (8)
- the rate of flow of energy or particles across a given surfaceType of rateKinds neutron flux, radiant flux
- a flow or dischargeSynonyms: fluxionType of flow, flowing
- a substance added to molten metals to bond with impurities that can then be readily removedType of chemical, chemical substanceKinds soldering flux
- excessive discharge of liquid from a cavity or organ (as in watery diarrhea)Type of pathology
- a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action“the flux following the death of the emperor”Synonyms: state of fluxType of state
- the lines of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a moving charged particleSynonyms: magnetic fieldmagnetic fluxType of field, field of forceKinds solar magnetic field, magnetosphere
- (physics) the number of changes in energy flow across a given surface per unit areaSynonyms: flux density
- in constant change“his opinions are in flux”“the newness and flux of the computer industry”
Verb (3)fluxed, fluxing
- move or progress freely as if in a stream“The crowd flowed out of the stadium”Synonyms: flowMore general moveMore specific ripple, transpire
- become liquid or fluid when heated“the frozen fat liquefied”Synonyms: liquefyliquifyMore general change integrityMore specific dissolve, condense, fuse
- mix together different elements“The colors blend well”Synonyms: blendmixconflatecommingleimmixfusecoalescemeldcombinemergeMore general change integrityMore specific absorb, blend in, melt, admix, conjugate, gauge, alloy, accrete, syncretize
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. fluxus, fr. fluere, fluxum, to flow: cf.F. flux. See Fluent, and cf. 1st & 2d Floss, Flush, noun, 6.
1. The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.
By the perpetual flux of the liquids, a great part of them is thrown out of the body.— John Arbuthnot
Her image has escaped the flux of things, And that same infant beauty that she wore Is fixed upon her now forevermore.— Abp. Richard Chenevix Trench
Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux.— Henry Felton
2. The setting in of the tide toward the shore, — the ebb being called the reflux.
3. The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.
4. Chem. & Metal. Any substance or mixture used to promote the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax, lime, fluorite.
☞ White flux is the residuum of the combustion of a mixture of equal parts of niter and tartar. It consists chiefly of the carbonate of potassium, and is white. — Black flux is the ressiduum of the combustion of one part of niter and two of tartar, and consists essentially of a mixture of potassium carbonate and charcoal.
5. Medicine (a) A fluid discharge from the bowels or other part; especially, an excessive and morbid discharge; as, the bloody flux or dysentery. See Bloody flux. (b) The matter thus discharged.
6. Physics The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area of a given surface in a unit of time.
Origin: L. fluxus, p. p. of fluere. See Flux, noun
Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.
The flux nature of all things here.— Isaac Barrow
1. To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.
He might fashionably and genteelly... have been dueled or fluxed into another world.— Robert South
2. To cause to become fluid; to fuse. Richard Kirwan
3. Medicine To cause a discharge from; to purge.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54