Fluxion

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Fluxion \Flux"ion\, n. [Cf. F. fluxion.]
     The act of flowing. --Cotgrave.
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     2. The matter that flows. --Wiseman.
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     3. Fusion; the running of metals into a fluid state.
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     4. (Med.) An unnatural or excessive flow of blood or fluid
        toward any organ; a determination.
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     5. A constantly varying indication.
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              Less to be counted than the fluxions of sun dials.
                                                    --De Quincey.
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     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.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  fluxion
       n : a flow or discharge [syn: {flux}]