flux Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the rate of flow of energy or particles across a given surface
  2. noun a flow or discharge
    fluxion.
  3. noun a substance added to molten metals to bond with impurities that can then be readily removed
  4. noun excessive discharge of liquid from a cavity or organ (as in watery diarrhea)
  5. noun a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action
    state of flux.
    • the flux following the death of the emperor
  6. noun the lines of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a moving charged particle
    magnetic field; magnetic flux.
  7. noun (physics) the number of changes in energy flow across a given surface per unit area
    flux density.
  8. noun in constant change
    • his opinions are in flux
    • the newness and flux of the computer industry
  9. verb move or progress freely as if in a stream
    flow.
    • The crowd flowed out of the stadium
  10. verb become liquid or fluid when heated
    liquify; liquefy.
    • the frozen fat liquefied
  11. verb mix together different elements
    mix; conflate; immix; coalesce; commingle; fuse; combine; merge; blend; meld.
    • The colors blend well

WordNet

Flux noun
Etymology
L. fluxus, fr. fluere, fluxum,to flow: cf.F. flux. See Fluent, and cf. 1st & 2d Floss, Flush, n., 6.
Definitions
  1. The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.
    By the perpetual flux of the liquids, a great part of them is thrown out of the body. Arbuthnot.
    Her image has escaped the flux of things, And that same infant beauty that she wore Is fixed upon her now forevermore. Trench.
    Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux. Felton.
  2. The setting in of the tide toward the shore, -- the ()bb being called the reflux.
  3. The state of beinng liquid through heat; fusion.
  4. (Chem.& Metal.) Any substance or mixture used to promote the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax, lime, fluorite. ✍ 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.
  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.
  6. (Physics) The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area of a given surface in a unit of time.
Flux adjective
Etymology
L. fluxus, p. p. of fluere. See Flux, n.
Definitions
  1. Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.
    The flux nature of all things here. Barrow.
Flux transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Fluxed ; present participle & verbal noun Fluxing
Definitions
  1. To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.
    He might fashionably and genteelly . . . have been dueled or fluxed into another world. South.
  2. To cause to become fluid; to fuse. Kirwan.
  3. (Med.) To cause a discharge from; to purge.

Webster 1913