Part 234

Flux"ion (?), n. [Cf. F. fluxion.] The act of flowing. Cotgrave.

2. The matter that flows. Wiseman.

3. Fusion; the running of metals into a fluid state.

4. (Med.) An unnatural or excessive flow of blood or fluid toward any organ; a determination.

5. A constantly varying indication.

Less to be counted than the fluxions of sun dials.

De Quincey.

6. (Math.) (a) The infinitely small increase or decrease of a variable or flowing quantity in a certain infinitely small and constant period of time; the rate of variation of a fluent; an incerement; a differential. (b) pl. A method of analysis developed by Newton, and based on the conception of all magnitudes as generated by motion, and involving in their changes the notion of velocity or rate of change. Its results are the same as those of the differential and integral calculus, from which it differs little except in notation and logical method.

Flux"ion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or having the nature of, fluxion or fluxions; variable; inconstant.

The merely human,the temporary and fluxional.

Coleridge.

Fluxional structure (Geol.), fluidal structure.

Flux"ion*a*ry (?), a. 1. Fluxional. Berkeley.

2. (Med.) Pertaining to, or caused by, an increased flow of blood to a part; congestive; as, a fluxionary hemorrhage.

Flux"ion*ist, n. One skilled in fluxions. Berkeley.

Flux"ions (?), n. pl. (Math.) See Fluxion, 6(b).

Flux"ive (?), a. Flowing; also, wanting solidity. B. Jonson.

Flux"ure (?; 138), n. [L. fluxura a flowing.] 1. The quality of being fluid. [Obs.] Fielding.

2. Fluid matter. [Obs.] Drayton.

Fly (fl), v. i. [imp. Flew (fl); p. p. Flown (fln); p. pr. & vb. n. Flying.] [OE. fleen, fleen, fleyen, flegen, AS. fleÛgan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG. fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. fljga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve, Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh. to L. pluma feather, E. plume. √84. Cf. Fledge, Flight, Flock of animals.] 1. To move in or pass through the air with wings, as a bird.

2. To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse.

3. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Job v. 7.

4. To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies.

Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race.

Milton.

The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on.