■ verb
1》 move steadily and continuously in a current or stream.
2》 (of the sea or a tidal river) move towards the land; rise. Compare with ebb .
3》 move or issue forth steadily and freely.
↘[often as adjective ~ing ] hang loosely in a graceful manner: a long ~ing gown.
4》 (of a solid) undergo a permanent change of shape under stress, without melting.
■ noun
1》 the action or process of ~ing.
2》 the rise of a tide or a river.
3》 a steady, continuous stream: the ~ of traffic.
4》 Scottish a watery swamp; a morass.
Phrases
go with the ~ informal be relaxed and accept a situation.
in full ~ talking or performing fluently and enthusiastically.
Derivatives
~ingly adverb
Origin
OE flōwan , of Gmc origin; related to flood .