andflux(flks)
n.
1.
a. A flow or flowing.
b. A continued flow; a flood. See Synonyms at flow.
2. The flowing in of the tide.
3. Medicine The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.
4. Physics
a. The rate of flow of fluid, particles, or energy through a given surface.
b. See flux density.
c. The lines of force of an electric or magnetic field.
5. Constant or frequent change; fluctuation: "The newness and flux of the computer industry has meant many opportunities for women and minorities" Connie Winkler.
6. Chemistry & Metallurgy A substance that aids, induces, or otherwise actively participates in fusing or flowing, as:
a. A substance applied to a surface to be joined by welding, soldering, or brazing to facilitate the flowing of solder and prevent formation of oxides.
b. A mineral added to the metals in a furnace to promote fusing or to prevent the formation of oxides.
c. An additive that improves the flow of plastics during fabrication.
d. A readily fusible glass or enamel used as a base in ceramic work.
v. fluxed, flux·ing, flux·es
v.tr.
1. To melt; fuse.
2. To apply a flux to.
v.intr.
1. To become fluid.
2. To flow; stream.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin flxus, from past participle of fluere, to flow; see bhleu- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
mark flexing-the-fluxes Baileyflex(flks)
v. flexed, flex·ing, flex·es
v.tr.
1. To bend (something pliant or elastic).
2.
a. To bend (a joint).
b. To bend (a joint) repeatedly.
3.
a. To contract (a muscle, for example).
b. To move by muscular control: "Sandy flexes his brow characteristically" Scott Turow.
4. To exhibit or show off the strength of: "They had spent six years since the lightning Six Day War flexing their invincibility" Howard Kaplan.
v.intr.
To bend: "His hands flexed nervously as he spoke" Mary McCarthy.
n.
1. Chiefly British Flexible insulated electric cord.
2. The act or an instance of flexing; a bending.
3. Pliancy; flexibility: "'Resolution' has none of that modern flex we favor, with generous, built-in amounts of 'maybe'" Melvin Maddocks.
Idiom:
flex (one's) muscles Informal
To exhibit or show off one's strength.
[Latin flectere, flex-, to bend.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
