fast-flowingadj.
/ˌfɑːs(t)ˈfləʊɪŋ/, /ˌfas(t)ˈfləʊɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌfæs(t)ˈfloʊɪŋ/ 1. That flows swiftly; that moves at a high speed. Now typically with reference to rivers or other flowing water.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > [adjective] > swiftly or violently
steepc1330
sturdy1426
fast-flowing1560
heady1562
strick1629
1560 T. Palfreyman Myrrour for All Estates sig. Eivv The liuely and faste flowynge fountaines of his grace.
1593 T. W. Tears of Fancie xxviii. sig. Cv Fast flowing teares from watery eies abounding.
1732 tr. A. F. Prévost d'Exiles Life Mr. Cleveland (new ed.) III. iv. 81 The viscount, who was as much afflicted as myself to see her fast-flowing tears, bid me embrace her.
a1835 F. D. Hemans Penitent's Offering in Poet. Wks. (1836) 336/1 That fast flowing rain Of tears.
1884 A. H. Leonowens Life & Trav. in India xiii. 293 Great flights of stone steps lead to the fast-flowing river.
1985 Cambr. Encycl. Life Sci. xv. 380/2 Overdeepened river valleys and gorges have been carved by large amounts of fast-flowing melt-water.
2019 Pract. Fishkeeping Mar. 55/1 Rocket gar aren't fish from fast-flowing rivers though, so a steady, but gentle water current is what you need.
2. figurative. Quick, smooth, and easy; fluent.
ΚΠ
1770 First of Lett. to Author of Pietas Oxoniensis 7 Fast flowing sentences, which skim over the surface of things, will satisfy none but superficial Readers.
1854 Spectator 1 Apr. 367/1 They could again hear the clear sweet voices and fast-flowing words of the speakers.
1966 Daily Mirror 26 Jan. 22/4 Their fast-flowing football made a mockery both of the muddy morass of the pitch and of their helpless opponents.
2009 Bristol Post (Nexis) 21 May 4 Liquid DnB is somewhere inbetween dubstep and jungle and ragga, with fast-flowing beats but a more fluffy ambience.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1560