From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
flux
n 1: the rate of flow of energy or particles across a given
surface
2: a flow or discharge [syn: fluxion]
3: a substance added to molten metals to bond with impurities
that can then be readily removed
4: excessive discharge of liquid from a cavity or organ (as in
watery diarrhea)
5: a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually
following some important event) preceding the
establishment of a new direction of action; "the flux
following the death of the emperor" [syn: state of flux]
6: the lines of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a
moving charged particle [syn: magnetic field, {magnetic
flux}]
7: (physics) the number of flux changes per unit area [syn:
flux density]
8: in constant change; "his opinions are in flux"; "the newness
and flux of the computer industry"
v 1: move or progress freely as if in a stream; "The crowd flowed
out of the stadium" [syn: flow]
2: become liquid or fluid when heated; "the frozen fat
liquefied" [syn: liquefy, liquify]
3: mix together different elements; "The colors blend well"
[syn: blend, mix, conflate, commingle, immix,
fuse, coalesce, meld, combine, merge]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Flux \Flux\ (fl[u^]ks), n. [L. fluxus, fr. fluere, fluxum, to
flow: cf.F. flux. See Fluent, and cf. 1st & 2d Floss,
Flush, n., 6.]
1. The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by,
as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.
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By the perpetual flux of the liquids, a great part
of them is thrown out of the body. --Arbuthnot.
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Her image has escaped the flux of things,
And that same infant beauty that she wore
Is fixed upon her now forevermore. --Trench.
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Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux.
--Felton.
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2. The setting in of the tide toward the shore, -- the ebb
being called the reflux.
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3. The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.
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4. (Chem. & Metal.) Any substance or mixture used to promote
the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax,
lime, fluorite.
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Note: White flux is the residuum of the combustion of a
mixture of equal parts of niter and tartar. It consists
chiefly of the carbonate of potassium, and is white. --
Black flux is the ressiduum of the combustion of one
part of niter and two of tartar, and consists
essentially of a mixture of potassium carbonate and
charcoal.
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5. (Med.)
(a) A fluid discharge from the bowels or other part;
especially, an excessive and morbid discharge; as, the
bloody flux or dysentery. See Bloody flux.
(b) The matter thus discharged.
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6. (Physics) The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area
of a given surface in a unit of time.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Flux \Flux\, a. [L. fluxus, p. p. of fluere. See Flux, n.]
Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.
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The flux nature of all things here. --Barrow.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Flux \Flux\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fluxed (fl[u^]kst); p. pr. &
vb. n. Fluxing.]
1. To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.
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He might fashionably and genteelly . . . have been
dueled or
fluxed into another world. --South.
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2. To cause to become fluid; to fuse. --Kirwan.
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3. (Med.) To cause a discharge from; to purge.
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