flux

[fluhks] /flʌks/
noun
1.
a flowing or flow.
2.
the flowing in of the tide.
3.
continuous change, passage, or movement:
His political views are in a state of flux.
4.
Physics.
  1. the rate of flow of fluid, particles, or energy.
  2. a quantity expressing the strength of a field of force in a given area.
5.
Chemistry, Metallurgy.
  1. a substance used to refine metals by combining with impurities to form a molten mixture that can be readily removed.
  2. a substance used to remove oxides from and prevent further oxidation of fused metal, as in soldering or hot-dip coating.
  3. (in the refining of scrap or other metal) a salt or mixture of salts that combines with nonmetallic impurities, causing them to float or coagulate.
6.
fusion.
verb (used with object)
7.
to melt; make fluid.
8.
to fuse by the use of flux.
9.
Obsolete. to purge.
verb (used without object)
10.
to flow.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin fluxus a flowing, equivalent to fluc-, variant stem of fluere to flow + -tus suffix of v. action, with ct > x
Related forms
nonflux, noun
superflux, noun
transflux, noun
Synonyms
1. course, current, flood, stream.
Examples from the web for flux
  • Things of this world are in so constant a flux, that nothing remains long in the same state.
  • We live all of us apparently in a divine state of flux.
  • Recognizing that relationships are constantly in flux and honing my ability to notice the qualities of that change helps.
  • The temperature rise has put feathered, furry, and scaly animals alike in a state of flux.
  • Most scientists agree our climate is in a state of flux.
  • So marriage is in constant flux, and it always will be, and it always should be.
  • The hemoglobin people with favorable results using a similar strategy, beat us to the punch in this fluid protean state of flux.
  • Language, after all, appears only to be returning to its natural and healthy state of flux.
  • Furthermore, these devices may also be moving, so that the network topology is in constant flux.
  • Land erodes and subsides and emerges so the reference is in a continual state of flux.
British Dictionary definitions for flux

flux

/flʌks/
noun
1.
a flow or discharge
2.
continuous change; instability
3.
a substance, such as borax or salt, that gives a low melting-point mixture with a metal oxide. It is used for cleaning metal surfaces during soldering, etc, and for protecting the surfaces of liquid metals
4.
(metallurgy) a chemical used to increase the fluidity of refining slags in order to promote the rate of chemical reaction
5.
a similar substance used in the making of glass
6.
(physics)
  1. the rate of flow of particles, energy, or a fluid, through a specified area, such as that of neutrons (neutron flux) or of light energy (luminous flux)
  2. the strength of a field in a given area expressed as the product of the area and the component of the field strength at right angles to the area: magnetic flux, electric flux
7.
(pathol) an excessive discharge of fluid from the body, such as watery faeces in diarrhoea
8.
the act or process of melting; fusion
9.
(in the philosophy of Heraclitus) the state of constant change in which all things exist
verb
10.
to make or become fluid
11.
(transitive) to apply flux to (a metal, soldered joint, etc)
12.
(transitive) an obsolete word for purge
Word Origin
C14: from Latin fluxus a flow, from fluere to flow
Word Origin and History for flux
n.

late 14c., from Old French flus "flowing, rolling, bleeding," or directly from Latin fluxus "flowing, loose, slack," past participle of fluere "to flow" (see fluent). Originally "excessive flow" (of blood or excrement); an early name for "dysentery;" sense of "continuous succession of changes" is first recorded 1620s. The verb is early 15c., from the noun.

flux in Medicine

flux (flŭks)
n.

  1. The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.

  2. Material thus discharged from the bowels.

  3. The rate of flow of fluid, particles, or energy through a given surface.

  4. Flux density.

flux in Science
flux
(flŭks)

  1. The rate of flow of fluids, particles, or energy across a given surface or area.

  2. The presence of a field of force in a region of space, represented as a set of lines indicating the direction of the force. The density of the lines indicates the strength of the force. Lines used to represent magnetic fields in depictions of magnets, for example, follow the lines of flux of the field. See also field, magnetic flux.

  3. A measure of the strength of such a field. Also called field flux.

  4. A readily fusible glass or enamel used as a base in ceramic work.

  5. An additive that improves the flow of plastics during fabrication.

  6. 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.

  7. A substance used in a smelting furnace to make metals melt more easily.