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

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