资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

   2. To become liquid; to melt.

            The mountains flowed down at thy presence. --Is.
                                                  lxiv. 3.

   3. To proceed; to issue forth; as, wealth flows from industry
      and economy.

            Those thousand decencies that daily flow From all
            her words and actions.                --Milton.

   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.

            Virgil is sweet and flowingin his hexameters.
                                                  --Dryden.

   5. To have or be in abundance; to abound; to full, so as to
      run or flow over; to be copious.

            In that day . . . the hills shall flow with milk.
                                                  --Joel iii.
                                                  18.

            The exhilaration of a night that needed not the
            influence of the flowing bowl.        --Prof.
                                                  Wilson.

   6. To hang loose and waving; as, a flowing mantle; flowing
      locks.

            The imperial purple flowing in his train. --A.
                                                  Hamilton.

   7. To rise, as the tide; -- opposed to ebb; as, the tide
      flows twice in twenty-four hours.

            The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between.
                                                  --Shak.

   8. To discharge blood in excess from the uterus.