flow
 flow (flō)v. flowed, flow·ing, flowsv. intr.
1.
a. To move or run smoothly with unbroken continuity, as in the manner characteristic of a fluid.
b. To issue in a stream; pour forth:
Sap flowed from the gash in the tree.
2. To circulate, as the blood in the body.
3. To move with a continual shifting of the component particles:
wheat flowing into the bin; traffic flowing through the tunnel.
4. To proceed steadily and easily:
The preparations flowed smoothly.
5. To exhibit a smooth or graceful continuity:
The poem's cadence flowed gracefully.
6. To hang loosely and gracefully:
The cape flowed from his shoulders.
7. To rise. Used of the tide.
8. To arise; derive:
Many conclusions flow from this hypothesis.
9.
a. To abound or teem:
coffers flowing with treasure.
b. To stream copiously; flood:
Contributions flowed in from all parts of the country.
10. To menstruate.
11. To undergo plastic deformation without cracking or breaking. Used of rocks, metals, or minerals.v. tr.
1. To release as a flow:
trees flowing thin sap.
2. To cause to flow: “One of the real keys to success is developing a system where you can flow traffic to yourselves” (Marc Klee). n.
1.
a. The act of flowing.
b. The smooth motion characteristic of fluids.
2.
a. A stream or current.
b. A flood or overflow.
c. A residual mass that has stopped flowing:
a hardened lava flow.
3.
a. A continuous output or outpouring:
a flow of ideas; produced a steady flow of stories.
b. A continuous movement or circulation:
the flow of traffic; a flow of paperwork across his desk.
4. The amount that flows in a given period of time.
5. The rising of the tide.
6. Continuity and smoothness of appearance.
7. A general movement or tendency:
a dissenter who went against the flow of opinion.
8. The sequence in which operations are performed.
9. An apparent ease or effortlessness of performance: “An athlete must learn to forget the details of his or her training to achieve the instinctive sense of flow that characterizes a champion” (Frederick Turner).
10. Menstrual discharge. [Middle English flouen, from Old English flōwan. See pleu- in Indo-European Roots.] flowʹing·ly adv.
Synonyms: flow, current, flood, flux, rush1, stream, tide
1 These nouns denote something suggestive of running water: a flow of thought; the current of history; a flood of ideas; a flux of words; a rush of sympathy; a stream of complaints; a tide of immigration. See also synonyms at stem1
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