flow

I. 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 flows slowly

> 2. rise <

the tide ebbs and flows

> 3. abound <

a land flowing with natural resources

> 4. a. to proceed smoothly and readily <

conversation flowed easily

> b. to have a smooth continuity 5. to hang loose and billowing <

her gown flowed around her

> 6. to derive from a source ; come <

the wealth that flows 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 • flowingly 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