n.
Pronunciation: ' fl ō
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fl ō wan; akin to Old High German flouwen to rinse, wash, Latin pluere to rain, Greek plein to sail, float
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 a (1) : to issue or move in a stream (2) : CIRCULATE b : to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles <molasses flow s slowly>
2 : RISE <the tide ebbs and flow s >
3 : ABOUND <a land flow ing with natural resources>
4 a : to proceed smoothly and readily <conversation flow ed easily> b : to have a smooth continuity
5 : to hang loose and billowing <her gown flow ed around her>
6 : to derive from a source : COME <the wealth that flow s from trade>
7 : to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing ― used especially of minerals and rocks
8 : MENSTRUATE
transitive verb
1 : to cause to flow
2 : to discharge in a flow
synonyms see SPRING
– flow · ing · ly \ -i ŋ -l ē \ adverb