counterflowing
|coun-ter-flow-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈkaʊntərˌfloʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˈkaʊntəˌfləʊ/
(counterflow)
flowing opposite direction
Etymology
'counterflowing' originates from English, specifically the compound 'counterflow' plus the suffix '-ing', where 'counter-' meant 'against/opposite' (from Old French 'contre' / Latin 'contra') and 'flow' meant 'to move along in a stream' (from Old English 'flowan').
'counterflow' formed in modern English by combining 'counter' (from Old French 'contre', via Medieval Latin 'contra') and 'flow' (from Old English 'flowan'); adding the productive verbal/participial suffix '-ing' produced 'counterflowing'.
Initially it meant 'a flow in the opposite direction' and over time has retained that core sense, extending to figurative uses describing movements contrary to a prevailing direction.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle or gerund form of 'counterflow' — to flow in the opposite direction (of another flow); to move contrary to the main current.
The canal locks were counterflowing during the tidal reversal, making navigation tricky.
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Adjective 1
flowing or moving in a direction opposite to another flow; (used attributively) describing a current, stream, or movement that runs contrary to the main direction.
The counterflowing currents created hazardous conditions for swimmers.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 01:25