flush

I. verb Etymology: Middle English flusshen Date: 13th century intransitive verb to fly away suddenly transitive verb 1. to cause (as a bird) to flush 2. to expose or chase from a place of concealment <

flushed the boys from their hiding place

> II. noun Etymology: Middle French flus, fluz, from Latin fluxus flow, flux Date: circa 1529 1. a hand of playing cards all of the same suit; specifically a poker hand containing five cards of the same suit but not in sequence — see poker illustration 2. a series of three or more slalom gates set vertically on a slope III. noun Etymology: perhaps modification of Latin fluxus Date: 1529 1. a sudden flow (as of water); also a rinsing or cleansing with or as if with a flush of water 2. a. a sudden increase or expansion; especially sudden and usually abundant new plant growth <

the spring flush of grass

> b. a surge of emotion <

felt a flush of anger at the insult

> 3. a. a tinge of red ; blush b. a fresh and vigorous state <

in the first flush of womanhood

> 4. a transitory sensation of extreme heat — compare hot flash IV. verb Date: 1548 intransitive verb 1. to flow and spread suddenly and freely 2. a. to glow brightly b. blush 3. to produce new growth <

the plants flush twice during the year

> transitive verb 1. a. to cause to flow b. to pour liquid over or through; especially to cleanse or wash out with or as if with a rush of liquid <

flush the toilet

> <

flush the lungs with air

> 2. inflame, excite — usually used passively <

flushed with pride

> 3. to cause to blush V. adjective Date: circa 1568 1. a. of a ruddy healthy color b. full of life and vigor ; lusty 2. a. filled to overflowing b. affluent 3. readily available ; abundant 4. a. having or forming a continuous plane or unbroken surface <

flush paneling

> b. directly abutting or immediately adjacent: as (1) set even with an edge of a type page or column ; having no indention (2) arranged edge to edge so as to fit snugly • flushness noun VI. adverb Date: 1700 1. in a flush manner 2. squarely <

hit him flush on the chin

> VII. transitive verb Date: circa 1842 to make flush <

flush the headings on a page

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