outpouring

Outpouring is a noun describing a strong and rapid release or expression of something that flows outward. It can refer to emotions such as grief, joy, or sympathy, manifested as tears or words; or to a large, rapid flow of tangible stuff, such as rain, floodwaters, or donations.

In everyday language, phrases like an outpouring of gratitude or an outpouring of support emphasize abundance and immediacy. The term is versatile across contexts: personal emotion, natural phenomena, or social responses. It is often used with of to introduce what is being released or expressed.

Etymology: the word is formed from out plus pour, signaling something that pours out from within or from a source. The noun has appeared in English since the 15th century and is common in both literary and journalistic prose. In religious discourse, outpouring is frequently used to describe the perceived release of spiritual gifts or fervor, particularly in Pentecostal and charismatic traditions.

In neutral usage, the term does not specify the cause; it signals only the intensity and volume of release or expression. Related terms include deluge, flood, torrent, and emotional release.