flow

English

/fləʊ/, /floʊ/

noun
Definitions
  • A movement in people or things with a particular way in large numbers or amounts
  • The movement of a real or figurative fluid.
  • (math) A formalization of the idea of the motion of particles in a fluid, as a group action of the real numbers on a set.
  • The rising movement of the tide.
  • Smoothness or continuity.
  • The amount of a fluid that moves or the rate of fluid movement.
  • A flow pipe, carrying liquid away from a boiler or other central plant (compare with return pipe which returns fluid to central plant).
  • (psychology) A mental state characterized by concentration, focus and enjoyment of a given task.
  • The emission of blood during menstruation.
  • (rap) The ability to skilfully rap along to a beat.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English flowen inherited from Old English flōwan (flow) inherited from Proto-Germanic *flōaną (flow) derived from Proto-Indo-European *plōw- (pour, wash).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*plōw-

Gloss

pour, wash

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms