I. ˈfləks noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin fluxus, from Latin, flow, action of flowing, from fluxus, past participle of fluere to flow — more at fluid
1.
a. : a flowing or discharge of fluid from the body ; usually : an excessive and abnormal discharge from the bowels : diarrhea , dysentery
b. : the matter discharged in a flux
2. : an act of flowing: as
a. : a continuous moving on or passing by (as of a flowing stream)
b. : a continuing succession of changes
language is subject to constant flux
3. : a running stream (as of water) : a continued flow : flood , outflow
a flux of words
4.
a. : the setting in of the tide toward shore — compare reflux
b. : a state of uncertainty or absence of clearly directed action following or accompanying some event of moment and usually preceding the establishment of a new course of action
the flux following the death of the emperor
5.
a. : a substance used to promote fusion (as by removing impurities) especially of metals or minerals
b. : a substance (as rosin or borax) applied to surfaces to be joined by soldering, brazing, or welding just prior to or during the operation to clean and free them from oxide and promote their union
c. : a substance (as borax) added in glassmaking for promoting vitrification
d. or flux oil : a viscous nonvolatile petroleum fraction used to soften asphalt
6. : a fusible glass used as a base for enamels ; also : an easily fusible enamel used as a ground for enamel painting
7.
a. : the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy (as radiant energy) across a given surface
neutron flux
light flux
b. : the surface integral of the normal component of field intensity over a given surface
measurement of electric flux
— see magnetic flux
8. : slime flux
Synonyms: see flow
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English fluxen, from flux, n.
transitive verb
1. : to cause to become fluid
the intense heat fluxed the glass
2. : to treat with a flux especially in order to promote fusion or softening
flux the edges to be joined with solder
3. obsolete : to treat (a patient or disease) so as to cause a discharge from an affected part ; often : purge
intransitive verb
1. : to flow freely
2. : to become fluid : fuse , melt
materials that soften and flux under the influence of heat and pressure
3. obsolete : to undergo a flux ; specifically : to bleed copiously
III. adjective
Etymology: Latin fluxus, from past participle of fluere
archaic : being in or characterized by a state of flux : variable , unstable