I. ˈrēˌfləks noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin refluxus, from Latin re- + fluxus flow — more at flux
1.
a. : a flowing back : refluence
the flux and reflux of the tides
the fluxes and refluxes of the mind when agitated by the great and simple affection — William Wordsworth
b. : a process of refluxing or the condition of being refluxed
2. : a reflux apparatus ; especially : reflux condenser
3. : the liquid condensed from the vapors in a refluxing operation
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to reflux : returning , ebbing
2. : admitting or controlling reflux
reflux tower in an oil field
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to cause to flow back or return ; especially : to heat (as under a reflux condenser) so that the vapors formed condense to a liquid that flows back to be heated again