Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STREAM, n. [Sax. stream; G. strom; D. stroom; Dan. ström; Sw. ström; W. ystrym; Ir. sreamh or sreav. If m is radical, this word belongs to Class Rm.]

1. A current of water or other fluid; a liquid substance flowing in a line or course, either on the earth, as a river or brook, or from a vessel or other reservoir or fountain. Hence,
2. A river, brook or rivulet.
3. A current of water in the ocean; as, the gulf stream.
4. A current of melted metal or other substance; as, a stream of lead or iron flowing from a furnace; a stream of lava from a volcano.
5. Any thing issuing from a source and moving with a continued succession of parts; as, a stream of words; a stream of sand. A stream of beneficence. – Atterbury.
6. A continued current or course; as, a stream of weather. [Not used.] – Ralegh. The stream of his life. – Shak.
7. A current of air or gas, or of light.
8. Current; drift; as, of opinions or manners. It is difficult to oppose the stream of public opinion.
9. Water.