Flow \Flow\ (fl[=o]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flowed (fl[=o]d); p.
pr. & vb. n. Flowing.] [AS. fl[=o]wan; akin to D. vloeijen,
OHG. flawen to wash, Icel. fl[=o]a to deluge, Gr. plw`ein to
float, sail, and prob. ultimately to E. float, fleet.
[root]80. Cf. Flood.]
1. To move with a continual change of place among the
particles or parts, as a fluid; to change place or
circulate, as a liquid; as, rivers flow from springs and
lakes; tears flow from the eyes.
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2. To become liquid; to melt.
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The mountains flowed down at thy presence. --Is.
lxiv. 3.
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3. To proceed; to issue forth; as, wealth flows from industry
and economy.
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Those thousand decencies that daily flow
From all her words and actions. --Milton.
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4. To glide along smoothly, without harshness or asperties;
as, a flowing period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly
to the ear; to be uttered easily.
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Virgil is sweet and flowingin his hexameters.
--Dryden.
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5. To have or be in abundance; to abound; to full, so as to
run or flow over; to be copious.
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In that day . . . the hills shall flow with milk.
--Joel iii.
18.
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The exhilaration of a night that needed not the
influence of the flowing bowl. --Prof.
Wilson.
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6. To hang loose and waving; as, a flowing mantle; flowing
locks.
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The imperial purple flowing in his train. --A.
Hamilton.
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7. To rise, as the tide; -- opposed to ebb; as, the tide
flows twice in twenty-four hours.
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The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between.
--Shak.
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8. To discharge blood in excess from the uterus.
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