reverse-flowing
|re-verse-flow-ing|
🇺🇸
/rɪˈvɜrs ˈfloʊɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/rɪˈvɜːs ˈfləʊɪŋ/
(reverse-flow)
flowing backward
Etymology
'reverse-flowing' is a modern English compound formed from 'reverse' + 'flow' + the participial suffix '-ing'. 'reverse' (adjective/verb) comes via Middle English and Old French from Latin 'revertere' meaning 'to turn back', and 'flow' comes from Old English 'flowan' meaning 'to flow'.
'reverse' changed from Latin 'revertere' to Old French forms like 'reverser' and then to Middle English 'revers'/'reverse'; 'flow' evolved from Old English 'flowan' to modern English 'flow'. The compound 'reverse-flow' is a descriptive technical compound in modern English, and 'reverse-flowing' is its -ing form.
Originally 'reverse' meant 'to turn back' and 'flow' meant 'to move in a stream'; combined as 'reverse-flowing' it specifically denotes 'flowing backward' or 'experiencing backflow'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle form of 'reverse-flow' (used either as part of a continuous verb form or as an adjectival participle).
Water was reverse-flowing through the pipe after the pump failure.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
flowing in the opposite direction from the normal or expected direction; exhibiting backflow.
The reverse-flowing current damaged the intake system.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/19 04:44