释义 |
cur·rent I. \ˈkər.ənt, ˈkə.rə-\ adjective Etymology: Middle English curraunt, coraunt, from Old French corant, curant, present participle of corre, courre to run, from Latin currere; akin to Middle High German hurren to hurry, Old Irish & Middle Welsh carr vehicle, Greek epikouros hastening to aid, and perhaps to Old English & Old High German horsc wise, quick, Old Norse horskr 1. a. archaic : running, flowing, moving b. archaic : fluent : flowing easily and smoothly c. (1) : presently elapsing < the current fiscal year > < the current month > (2) : occurring in or belonging to the present time : in evidence or in operation at the time actually elapsing < the current crisis > < current excitement over elections > < current services > (3) of a serial publication : most recent < the current number of a quarterly magazine > 2. a. : being in use as a medium of exchange : circulating as money < the current coin of the realm > b. obsolete : not counterfeit or spurious : genuine 3. a. : in general knowledge, acceptance, use, or practice : prevalent, accustomed, general : commonly accepted, engaged in, followed, used, or practiced : in vogue : contemporary < current fashions > < current customs > < current beliefs > < current theories of education > b. mathematics : varying from point to point : general Synonyms: see prevailing II. noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English curraunt, from Middle French curant, from curant, adjective 1. a. : the part of a fluid body (as air or water) moving continuously in a certain direction : stream b. : the swiftest part of a stream c. : a tidal or nontidal movement often horizontal of lake or ocean water : drift d. : condition of flowing : flow marked by force or strength : flow, flux < the violent current of the mountain stream > e. : the velocity of flow of a fluid in a stream < measured the current and temperature in the sea just off the ice shelf — Valter Schytt > 2. : inclination given a channel or a surface shedding water : pitch, tilt < the current of the gutter > 3. : course of events : tenor, trend, tendency : flux of forces < in the deep emotional and creative currents that produced the Renaissance — G.C.Sellery > < strong currents of public opinion > < an adventure that changed the whole current of his life — Sherwood Anderson > 4. a. : electric current b. : the intensity of an electric current Synonyms: see flow, tendency |