flush

Etymology 1

From Middle English flusshen, fluschen, of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Middle English flasshen, flasschen, flaschen, see flash; or a Middle English blend of flowen (“to flow”) + guschen (“to gush”). Compare with German flutschen.

noun

1. A group of birds that have suddenly started up from undergrowth, trees, etc.

verb

1. (transitive) To cause to take flight from concealment.
   The dogs flushed the deer from the woods.
2. (intransitive) To take suddenly to flight, especially from cover.
   A covey of quail flushed from the undergrowth.
   The birds seem to lie very close and must be nearly stepped on before they will flush. 1926, Arthur Cleveland Bent, Life Histories of North American Birds: Marsh Birds, page 336
   AWACS is survivable due to its ability to flush on warning, to maneuver at jet speeds, to maintain awareness of the developing air situation and to command weapons as appropriate, including weapons for its own defense. 1972, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Department of Defense, Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1973, page 460

Etymology 2

Same as Etymology 3, according to the American Heritage Dictionary.

adj

1. Smooth, even, aligned; not sticking out.
   Sand down the excess until it is flush with the surface.
2. Wealthy or well off.
   He just got a bonus so he's flush today.
3. (typography) Short for flush left and right: a body of text aligned with both its left and right margins.
4. Full of vigour; fresh; glowing; bright.
5. Affluent; abounding; well furnished or suppled; hence, liberal; prodigal.

adv

1. Suddenly and completely.
   I landed flush on the couch.

Etymology 3

Probably from Etymology 1 according to the American Heritage Dictionary.

noun

1. A sudden flowing; a rush which fills or overflows, as of water for cleansing purposes.
2. Particularly, such a cleansing of a toilet.
3. (computing) The process of clearing the contents of a buffer or cache.
4. A suffusion of the face with blood, as from fear, shame, modesty, or intensity of feeling of any kind; a blush; a glow.
5. Any tinge of red colour like that produced on the cheeks by a sudden rush of blood.
   the flush on the side of a peach; the flush on the clouds at sunset
6. A sudden flood or rush of feeling; a thrill of excitement, animation, etc.
   a flush of joy
7. (skiing) A line of poles or obstacles that a skier must weave between.

verb

1. (transitive) To cleanse by flooding with generous quantities of a fluid.
   Flush the injury with plenty of water.
2. (transitive) Particularly, to cleanse a toilet by introducing a large amount of water.
3. (intransitive) To become suffused with reddish color due to embarrassment, excitement, overheating, or other systemic disturbance, to blush.
   The damsel flushed at the scoundrel's suggestion.
   She turned, laughing at the surprise, and flushing with pleasure. 1872, “The Argosy. Edited by Mrs. Henry Wood. Volume XIV. July to December, 1872”, in Google, London, page 60
4. (transitive) To cause to blush.
   Who plants a seed begets a bud, -- Extract of that same root; -- Why marvel at the hectic blood -- That flushes this wild fruit? 1925, Countee Cullen, Fruit of the Flower
5. To cause to be full; to flood; to overflow; to overwhelm with water.
   to flush the meadows
6. (transitive) To excite, inflame.
   , "Against Long Extemporary Prayers" such things as can only feed his pride and flush his ambition
7. (intransitive, of a toilet) To be cleansed by being flooded with generous quantities of water.
   There must be somebody home: I just heard the toilet flushing.
8. (transitive, computing) To clear (a buffer or cache) of its contents.
9. (transitive, computing, of data held in a buffer or cache) To write (the data) to primary storage, clearing it from the buffer or cache.
   flush to disk
10. To flow and spread suddenly; to rush.
    Blood flushes into the face.
    the flushing noise of many waters 1545, John Bale, The Image of Both Churches
11. To show red; to shine suddenly; to glow.
12. (masonry) To fill in (joints); to point the level; to make them flush.
13. (mining, intransitive) To operate a placer mine, where the continuous supply of water is insufficient, by holding back the water, and releasing it periodically in a flood.
14. (mining) To fill underground spaces, especially in coal mines, with material carried by water, which, after drainage, constitutes a compact mass.
15. (intransitive, transitive) To dispose or be disposed of by flushing down a toilet

Etymology 4

Probably from Middle French flus (“flow”), cognate with flux.

noun

1. (poker) A hand consisting of all cards with the same suit.