I. ˈkər-ənt, ˈkə-rənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English curraunt, from Anglo-French corant, present participle of cure, courre to run, from Latin currere — more at car
Date: 14th century
1.
a. archaic : running , flowing
b.
(1) : presently elapsing
the current year
(2) : occurring in or existing at the present time
the current crisis
(3) : most recent
the magazine's current issue
2. : used as a medium of exchange
3. : generally accepted, used, practiced, or prevalent at the moment
current fashions
• cur·rent·ly adverb
• cur·rent·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the part of a fluid body (as air or water) moving continuously in a certain direction
b. : the swiftest part of a stream
c. : a tidal or nontidal movement of lake or ocean water
d. : flow marked by force or strength
2.
a. : a tendency or course of events that is usually the result of an interplay of forces
current s of public opinion
b. : a prevailing mood : strain
3. : a flow of electric charge ; also : the rate of such flow
Synonyms: see tendency