FLOW


Meaning of FLOW in English

I. ˈflō verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English flōwan; 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 -iŋ-lē adverb

II. noun

Date: 15th century

1. : an act of flowing

2.

a. : flood 1a

b. : flood 2

the tide's ebb and flow

3.

a. : a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress

a flow of information

b. : stream ; also : a mass of material which has flowed when molten

an old lava flow

c. : the direction of movement or development

go with the flow

4. : the quantity that flows in a certain time

a gauge that measures fuel flow

5. : menstruation

6.

a. : the motion characteristic of fluids

b. : a continuous transfer of energy

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.