flush

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to redden or rinse with water; a reddening; level and even; abundantly supplied

   Her cheeks flushed scarlet at the unexpected compliment.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Flush was first recorded in Middle English with the sense “move rapidly” or “spring up,” especially of a bird, and may be a sound-symbolic formation influenced by flash and blush. Its senses “level with” and “abundantly supplied” probably evoke a river running full to its banks. The card-playing term for cards of one suit may instead come from French flux, formerly flus, from Latin fluxus, “a flow.”

Of uncertain and probably mixed origin, attested from the 16th century; the various senses (to spurt, to redden, level) likely blend imitative formations with influence from flash and flux.

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External links

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