cur|rent

cur|rent
cur|rent «KUR uhnt», noun, adjective.
–n.
1. a flow; stream. Running water or moving air makes a current. »

The current swept the stick down the river. The draft created a current of cold air over my feet.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under stream. (Cf.stream)
2. a) a flow of electricity through a wire. Metals are good conductors of electric current. »

The current went off when lightning hit the power lines.

b) the rate or amount of such a flow, usually expressed in amperes: »

Heating requires much more current than lighting does.

Abbr: c.
3. Figurative. course or movement (of events or of opinions); general direction: »

Newspapers influence the current of public opinion.

–adj.
1. of the present time. The current issue of a magazine is the latest one issued. »

We discuss current events in class whenever somebody reports on the news.

2. Figurative. in general use; commonly occurring: »

Long ago it was a current belief that the earth was flat.

3. going around: passing from person to person: »

A rumor is current that school will close tomorrow.

SYNONYM(S): prevalent.
4. Archaic. running; flowing.
[alteration of Middle English courant < d French corant, present participle of corre to run < Latin currere]
cur´rent|ness, noun.
Synonym Study adjective. 2, 3 Current, present, prevailing mean generally used or occurring at a certain time. Current emphasizes the idea of going on or going around from person to person, and means commonly known, used, accepted, or occurring now unless another time is stated: »

We read the daily newspaper to keep up with the current situation and developments in different parts of the world.

Present emphasizes the idea of being in this place at this time: »

This dictionary records present English usage.

Prevailing emphasizes the idea of being strongest or most common at a given time and place: »

“Foolish” is now the prevailing meaning of “silly.” In one period the prevailing sense of “silly” was “helpless.”


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • cur|rent|ly — «KUR uhnt lee», adverb. 1. at the present time; now: »The flu is currently going around the office and many people are absent from work. 2. Figurative. generally; commonly: »a currently held belief among the world s scientists …   Useful english dictionary

  • cur´rent|ness — cur|rent «KUR uhnt», noun, adjective. –n. 1. a flow; stream. Running water or moving air makes a current. »The current swept the stick down the river. The draft created a current of cold air over my feet. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under stream. (Cf.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|cur´rent|ness — con|cur|rent «kuhn KUR uhnt», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. happening at the same time; existing side by side: »The twins had concurrent birthdays. 2. agreeing; harmonious: »concurrent ideas. SYNONYM(S): consistent. 3. working together; cooperating …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|cur´rent|ly — con|cur|rent «kuhn KUR uhnt», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. happening at the same time; existing side by side: »The twins had concurrent birthdays. 2. agreeing; harmonious: »concurrent ideas. SYNONYM(S): consistent. 3. working together; cooperating …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|cur|rent — «kuhn KUR uhnt», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. happening at the same time; existing side by side: »The twins had concurrent birthdays. 2. agreeing; harmonious: »concurrent ideas. SYNONYM(S): consistent. 3. working together; cooperating …   Useful english dictionary

  • cross-cur|rent — cross|cur|rent or cross cur|rent «KRS KUR uhnt, KROS », noun. 1. a current of air blowing across another. 2. Figurative. an opposing tendency or trend: »the crosscurrents of political thought …   Useful english dictionary

  • cross|cur|rent — or cross cur|rent «KRS KUR uhnt, KROS », noun. 1. a current of air blowing across another. 2. Figurative. an opposing tendency or trend: »the crosscurrents of political thought …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|cur´rent|ly — de|cur|rent «dih KUR uhnt», adjective. Botany. extending down the stem: »decurrent leaves. ╂[< Latin dēcurrēns, entis, present participle of dēcurrere < dē down + currere run] –de|cur´rent|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|cur|rent — «dih KUR uhnt», adjective. Botany. extending down the stem: »decurrent leaves. ╂[< Latin dēcurrēns, entis, present participle of dēcurrere < dē down + currere run] –de|cur´rent|ly, adverb …   Useful english dictionary

  • re|cur´rent|ly — re|cur|rent «rih KUR uhnt», adjective. 1. occurring again; repeated; recurring: »recurrent attacks of hay fever. 2. turned back so as to run in the opposite direction: »a recurrent nerve. ╂[< Latin recurrēns, entis, present participle of… …   Useful english dictionary

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