[ad. L. efflux-us, f. effluĕre: see EFFLUENT.]
1. A flowing outwards of water or other liquid; a stream, river. Also, of air, gases, volatile particles, magnetic or electric currents, etc.; opposed to afflux or influx. Also attrib. Hence, a channel of outflow.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., xiv. § 21. A pool was made from the frequent effluxes.
1656. trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 504. The cause of smelling must consist in the simple motion of the parts of odorous bodies without any efflux or diminution of their whole substance.
1660. Boyle, New Exp. Phys.-Mech., ii. (1682), 81. The Reciever did afford some efflux to the air.
1747. Franklin, Wks. (1840), V. 184. We had even discovered … its [electrical fire’s] afflux to the electrical sphere, as well as its efflux.
1846. Grote, Greece (1862), I. xvi. 329. The narrow defile of Tempê, forming … the efflux of all the waters from the Thessalian basin.
1867. W. W. Smyth, Coal & Coal-mining, 187. The efflux point of the water.
1870. R. Ferguson, Electr., 55. It seems unlikely that efflux of –E … should be immediately succeeded by an influx of +E.
b. fig.
1641. Sanderson, Serm., II. 186. His … providential acts … by reason of that their efflux and emanation are made better known to us.
1651. Jer. Taylor, Course Serm., I. ii. 17. I have described the effluxes of the Holy Spirit upon us in his great chanels.
1827. C. Bridges, Exp. Ps. cxix. (1830), 183. The acts of God are nothing else but the effluxes of his goodness.
1882. Pebody, Eng. Journalism, xvii. 129. Prestige with a newspaper … is … an invisible efflux of personal power.
† 2. Pathol. (See quot.) Obs.
1754–64. Smellie, Midwif., I. 124. A miscarriage that happens before the tenth day was formerly called an efflux.
3. The lapse, passing away (of time, or of a particular period); hence, expiry, end.
1647. N. Bacon, Hist. Disc., v. 21. Austin … left it to successors to work out by degrees in efflux of time.
a. 1677. Manton, Serm., Ps. cxix. 100. All that efflux of time which was between Christ’s ascension and his second coming, is called ‘the latter days.’
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 322. The workings of mechanical causes in the efflux of rolling years.
1884. Sir J. Day, in Law Reports 13 Queen’s B. 631. The efflux in 1877 of the time within which the turnpike trust was limited.
4. concr. That which flows out; an emanation.
1642. H. More, Ψυχοζωια, Pref. All our souls are free effluxes from his essence.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., IV. iii. 310. The natural production of Insects out of the finest parts and effluxes of most Vegetable Natures.
a. 1711. Ken, Christophil, Poet. Wks. 1721, I. 500. Such Graces, O co-effluent Dove, Are the Effluxes of thy Love.
1880. Gladstone, in Scotsman, 23 March. The Established Church of Scotland … was the efflux of the mind of the people.
