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.
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 ebb
being called the reflux.
3. The state of being 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.
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.
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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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