Flex and Flux

Ned from Lake Ann asked about the difference between flex and flux. The first difference is origin: flex came from a Latin word that meant to bend, while flux came from a Latin word that meant to flow.

The second difference is meaning. Flux has been used in the following senses:

·      an excessive discharge from the bowels or other organs;

·      a running from the eyes or mouth;

·      the flowing of the tide or of a stream;

·      a continuous stream of people;

·      a copious flood of talk;

·      continuous changes of condition or substance;

·      the rate of flow of any fluid across a given area;

·      the number of lines of magnetic induction or electric displacement;

·      any substance mixed with a metal to facilitate its fusion.

Flex has one major meaning -- to bend a joint. However, the –flex– root shows up in a couple hundred of words, including

·      anteflexion: the condition of being bent forwards;

·      chemoreflex: a reflex response to a chemical stimulus;

·      circumflex:  a curved accent mark to indicate vowel quality;

·      contraflexure: the condition of being bent or curved in opposite directions;

·      dorsiflex: to bend the foot towards its dorsal surface;

·      flexibility: pliancy;

·      flexion: the act of bending;

·      genuflexion: bending of the knee;

·      reflex: automatic reaction.

Apropos of nothing, I note that all five vowels can be inserted into those same consonants: flax, flex, flix, flux, and the misspelling flox. Flix, aside from being slang for motion pictures, is an old term for the down of a beaver.

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