flowing

Everyday

1. Flowing means moving along smoothly, as water does in a river. tree →
2. Flowing can describe hair, clothes or lines that are long, smooth and loose. tree →
3. Flowing speech or writing goes on smoothly without stopping. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography, water is flowing in rivers from high ground to the sea; liquids flow but solids keep their shape. Electricity flowing in a circuit is called current. In safety, flowing water is stronger than it looks: never cross a flowing river or a flooded road, and stay out of storm drains. In writing, joined-up handwriting should be flowing. Phrases: free-flowing, flowing water, flowing hair.

Examples

• The river is flowing towards the sea. tree →
• Water keeps flowing down the hill. tree →
• Flowing water in a flood can sweep a car away. tree →
• Her long flowing hair blew in the wind. tree →
• Electric current is flowing round the circuit. tree →
• Honey is flowing slowly off the spoon. tree →
• The princess wore a flowing gown. tree →
• His writing was neat and flowing. tree →
• Now in came the South Wind, with a turban and a flowing Bedouin cloak. tree →

Note

Flow is regular: flowed, flowing. Do not confuse «flowed» with «flown» (from fly). Liquids and gases flow; this is how scientists tell them from solids. Fast-flowing water is dangerous even when shallow.

In Jewish tradition

In "a land flowing with milk and honey" it means a rich and fruitful land.

Interpretation. Tradition reads milk as from goats and honey as from fruits like dates and figs. It is the promise for the land of Israel.

Examples

• And He hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Torah DEU.26.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• unto a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people; lest I consume thee in the way.' (Torah EXO.33.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• and that ye may prolong your days upon the land, which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Torah DEU.11.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou didst cleave fountain and brook; Thou driedst up ever-flowing rivers. (Writings PSA.74.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• He shall not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and curd. (Writings JOB.20.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou art a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and flowing streams from Lebanon. (Writings SNG.4.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Flow is regular: flowed, flowing. Do not confuse «flowed» with «flown» (from fly). Liquids and gases flow; this is how scientists tell them from solids. Fast-flowing water is dangerous even when shallow.