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.”