effluence
(ˈɛfl(j)uːəns)
[as if ad. L. *effluentia, f. effluent-em flowing out (see effluent); cf. earlier affluence, ad. L. affluentia.]
1. A flowing out (esp. of light, electricity, magnetism, etc.); also transf. a (tumultuous) streaming forth (of men).
| 1635 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. i. iii. 54 Electricall bodies draw other bodies vnto them by reason of a moist effluence of vapours. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. ii. ii. 64 Where the greater continents are joyned, the action and effluence [of magnetism] is also greater. 1759 Phil. Trans. LI. 386 The cohesion cannot be owing to an effluence and affluence of one and the same electrical fluid. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. III. i. i. 6 That stormful effluence towards the Frontiers. 1877 L. Morris Epic Hades iii. 233 Gladdened by that broad effluence of light. |
b. fig.
| 1628 T. Spencer Logick 196 Truth, not of constitution..But, of emanation, effluence, and consecution. a 1716 South Serm. in Daily Tel. (1883) 10 July 5/4 The fulness and effluence of man's enjoyments. 1836 New Monthly Mag. XLVIII. 203 In this effluence of words..the genuine art of dramatic writing consists. |
2. concr. That which flows forth; an emanation.
| 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1301 All water and moisture..they call the effluence of Osiris. 1718 Prior Poems 311 Heav'n's fuller Effluence mocks our dazl'd Sight. 1862 F. Hall Hindu Philos. Syst. 225 When the jar is seen, an effluence of the internal organ..takes its form. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 276 Colour is an effluence of form. |
b. fig.
| 1625 Gill Sacr. Philos. i. 30 We speake of goodnesse, of power, &c., as of the effluences..thereof. a 1711 Ken Edmund Poet. Wks. 1721 II. 371 And to support the Martyr, on his Head Consolatory Effluences shed. 1860 Motley Netherl. (1868) I. v. 148 The effluence which came so naturally from the tranquil eyes of William the Silent. 1865 Merivale Rom. Emp. VIII. lxiv. 70 They were persuaded that the empire itself..was an effluence from the divine regimen of the world. |