FLAWN Flawn (flan), n. [0. Fr. faon, Fr. flan, a custard.] A sort of flat custard or pie. Flawter (fla'ter), v. t. [Connected with fay, O.E. flawe.] To scrape or pare, as a skin. Flawy (fla'i), a. 1. Full of flaws or cracks; broken; defective; faulty.-2. Subject to sudden gusts of wind. Flax (flaks), n. [A. Sax. flear. Cog. D. vlas, Fris flax, G. flachs, flax. Wedgwood remarks, 'As parallel forms in f and are very common, it is probable that the A. Sax. feax, the hair, is radically identical with flear, flax.' We do find flax for hair in old English; as, 'I will take thy ffingars and thy flax:' The Squier, Percy MS. Comp. Bohem vlas, Rus. volos, Lith. plaukas, which mean hair, while from their form they are apparently cognate with flax; and on the other hand Dan. hör, prov. G. har, flax, with E. hair. Probably from a root meaning to comb or weave or twist, the meanings of the G. flechten.] 1. The common name of the plants of the genus Linum, nat. order Linacea. The species, of which there are nearly a hundred, are herbs or small shrubs, with narrow leaves, and yellow, blue, or even white flowers arranged in variously formed cymes. They occur in warm and temperate regions over the world. The cultivated species is L. usitatissimum. The fibre which is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, &c., consists of the woody bundles of the slender stalks. The fine fibres may be so separated as to be spun into threads as fine as silk. A most useful oil is expressed from the seeds, and the residue, called linseed-cake, is one of the most fattening kinds of food for cattle. The best seed comes from Riga and Holland. Three species are Flax (L. usitatissimum), indigenous to Bri- with section of seed-vessel. tain, the smallest of which, L. catharticum, or purging flax, is found in heaths and pastures everywhere. In New Zealand flax is obtained from a plant called Phormium tenax. See PHORMIUM. 2. The fibrous part of the plant when broken and cleaned by scutching and hackling. Flax-bush (flaks'bush), n. The New Zealand flax-plant (Phormium tenax). See PHOR MIUM. Flax-comb (flaks'kōm), n. An instrument with teeth, through which flax is drawn for separating it from the tow or coarser part and the shives. Called also Hackle, Heckle, and Hatchel. Flax-dresser (flaks'dres-ér), n. One who Flax-dressing (flaks'dres-ing), n. The pro- Adown the shoulders of the heavenly fair In easy ringlets flowed her faxen hair. Fawkes. Flax-mill (flaks'mil), n. A mill or factory where flax is spun; a mill for the manufacture of linen goods. Flax-plant, Flax-lily (flaks'plant, flaks'li- Flax-star (flaks'stär), n. The Lysimachia Flax-weed (flaks'wed), n. A plant resembling flax, Linaria vulgaris. Called also Toad-flax. A woman Flax-wench (flaks'wensh), n. colour: fair. Flay (fla), v.t. [A. Sax. flean, O.D. vlaegen, vlaen, to flay; O.N. flaga, to cut thin turfs. Akin flake, flaw, Sc. flauchter, to pare or cut turf. 1. To skin; to strip off the skin of; as, to flay an ox. 2. To take off the surface of; to pare. FLEECY Fleckless (flek'les), a. Spotless; blamele.s. My conscience will not count me fleckless. Flection (flek'shon), n. [L. flectio, from flecto, to bend.] The act of bending or state of being bent; inflection. Neither should that odious custom be allowed of Flected (flekt'ed), p. and a. [L. flecto, to cutting scraws, which is flaying off the green surface bend.] In her. same as Embowed.-Flected of the ground, to cover their cabins. Swift. and reflected, bowed or bent in a serpentine Flayer (fla'èr), n. One who flays. Flea (flé), n. form like the letter S. [A. Sax. flea, from fleón, fleshan, fleogan, to fly, to escape. Comp. Sc. flech, and G. floh, O.H.G. floch, a flea.] An insect of the genus Pulex, and regarded by entomologists as constituting a distinct order Aphaniptera, because the wings are inconspicuous scales. All the species of the genus are very similar to the common flea (P. irritans). It has two eyes and six feet; the feelers are like threads; the oral appendages are modified into piercing stilets and a suctorial proboscis. The flea is remarkable for its agility, leaping to a surprising distance, and its bite is very troublesome.A flea in the ear, an annoying, unexpected hint or reply. My mistress sends away all her suitors, and puts Fletcher. He will be fleaed first Flea-beetle (flē'bē-tl), n. The name given Fleabite, Fleabiting (fle'bit, flê'bit-ing), n. A gout, a cholick... are but fleabites to the pains Fleabitten (fle'bit-n), a. 1. Bitten by a flea. Fleak (flek), n. A small lock, thread, or Fleamy+ (flem'i), a. Bloody; clotted. 'Fleamy Fleche (flash), n. [Fr., an arrow.] In fort. And straight the sun was flecked with bars, As if through a dungeon-grate he peered Fleck (flek), n. [Icel. flekkr, D. vlek, G. dapple; a stain. Life is dashed with flecks of sin. Tennyson. And flecks of wool stick to their withered lips. Flector (flekt'èr), n. A flexor (which see). Fledge (flej), v.t. pret. & pp. fledged; ppr. 2. To cover with anything resembling or Flee (fle), v.i. pret. & pp. fled; ppr. fleeing. [A. Sax. fleon, to flee (contr. from fleohan, to flee), ic fleó, I flee; a strong verb (with pret. fleah, pp. flogen) which afterwards became weak; recognized as distinct from fleogan, to fly, though their inflectional forms were similar. Comp. Icel. flýja, Dan. flye, Sw. fly, G. fliehen, to flee. See FLY.] To hasten or run away, as from danger or evil; to resort to shelter: usually with from. This is sometimes omitted, making the verb transitive. Flee fornication.' 1 Cor. vi. 18. In haste he fled and so did they, Each and his fear a several way. Hudibras. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Jain. iv. 7. -To flee the question or from the question, in legislative assemblies, to avoid voting in a question. Flee (fle), n. A fly. [Scotch.] Fleece (fles), n. [A. Šax. fleos, flis, flys; D. vlies; L.G. flüs, fleece, tuft of wool; G. fliess, flauss, a tuft of wool or hair. Fleece is perhaps related to flax (which see).] 1. The coat of wool that covers a sheep or that is shorn from a sheep at one time.-2. Any covering resembling wool in quality or appearance.-3. The loose and thin sheet of cotton or wool coming from the breakingcard in the process of manufacture. Fleece (flès), v.t. pret. & pp. fleeced; ppr. fleecing. 1. To deprive of the fleece or natural covering of wool.-2. To strip of money or property; to take from, by severe exactions, under colour of law or justice, or pretext of necessity, or by virtue of authority; to rob heartlessly; to take from without mercy. "Foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers.' Shak. He was improvident, and every one fleeced him. Ouida 3. To furnish with a fleece; as, the sheep is well fleeced.-4. To spread over as with a fleece or wool. Meantime, light shadowing all, a sober calm Fleecer (fles'êr), n. One who fleeces, strips, Fleeces unbounded ether. Thomson. Fleece-wool (fles'wul), n. or takes by severe or heartless exactions. Wool that is shorn from the living sheep: as opposed to skin-wool, that from the skins of dead animals. Fleech (fletch), v.t. [Connected with D. vleijen, to flatter, G. flehen, to supplicate; or from Fr. fléchir, to bend, to submit, to move to pity, to prevail on, from L. flectere, to bend.] To flatter; to wheedle. [Scotch.] Duncan fleech'd, and Duncan pray'd, Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig. Fleecings (fles'ingz), n. pl. Curds separated from the whey. W. H. Ainsworth." [Provincial.] Burns. Fleecy (fles'i), a. 1. Covered with wool; woolly; as, a fleecy flock. Fleecy sheep.' Beattie.-2. Resembling wool or a fleece; as, fleecy snow; fleecy locks. 'The chambers of the fleecy east.' Thomson. FLEEN Fleen, n. pl. Fleas. Chaucer. Fleep (flēp), n. [Icel. fleipr, babble, tattle.] An awkward, stupid fellow; a lout. [Scotch.j Let gowkit fleeps pretend to skunner And tak' offence. Skinner. Fleer (fler), v. i. [Comp. Sc. fleyr, to make wry faces; Dan. dial. flire, to laugh, to sneer; N. flira, to titter.] 1. To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe; as, to fleer and flout. Shak. 'Never fleer and jest at me.' Covered with an antic face, Shak. To fleer and scorn at our solemnity. 2. To grin with an air of civility; to leer. Grinning and fleering as though they went to a Latimer. bear-baiting. Fleer (fler), v.t. To mock; to flout at. I blush to think how people fleer'd and scorn'd me. Beau. & Fl. Fleer (flĕr), n. 1. Derision or mockery, expressed by words or looks. And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorns. Shak. 2. A grin of civility; a leer. A sly treacherous fleer upon the face of deceivers. South. Fleer (fle'èr), n. One who flees. Lord Ber manner. Fleet (flét), n. [A. Sax. fleôt, G. fleth, flethe, D. vliet, a channel; allied to float.] An arm of the sea; an inlet; a river or creek: used as an element in place-names; as, Northfleet, South-fleet, Fleet-ditch.-The Fleet or Fleet Prison, a metropolitan prison, now abolished; so called from its being situated by the side of the river Fleet, now covered over. To this prison persons were committed by the ecclesiastical courts, courts of equity, exchequer, and common pleas. Fleet (flet), n. [A. Sax. fliet, flota, a floater, a ship, from fleotan, to float, intens. of flowan, to flow. Akin D. vloot, G. flotte, fleet. See FLOAT] A body or squadron of ships; a number of ships in company, whether ships of war or of commerce, more especially ships of war. Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll! Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain. Byron. Fleett (flet), v. i. To float. Our sever'd navy too Have knit again, and fleet, threat'ning most sealike. Shak. Fleet (flet), v.t. [A. Sax. flet, fliet, cream, from fleótan, to float.] 1. To skim the cream off; to take the cream from. [Provincial.] 2. Naut. to skim fresh water off the sea, as practised at the mouths of the Rhone, the Nile, &c. Fleet (flet), a. Light; superficially fruitful or thin; not penetrating deep, as soil. Mor timer. Fleet (flet), adv. In a manner so as to affect only the surface; superficially. Mortimer. Those lands must be plowed fleet. Fleet (flet), a. [Icel. fljótr, quick; allied rather to fit than to fleet above. See FLIT] Swift of pace; moving or able to move with rapidity; nimble; light and quick in motion, or moving with lightness and celerity; as, a fleet horse or dog. Fleeter than the wind.' Hudibras. He had in his stables one of the fleetest horses in England. Clarendon. Fleet (flet), v.i. [Closely allied to flit. See FLEET, a.] 1. To fly swiftly; to hasten; to flit as a light substance. Shak. How all the other passions fleet to air. 2. Naut. to slip, as a rope or chain, down the barrel of a capstan or windlass. Fleet (flet), v. t. 1. To skim over the surface; to pass over rapidly; as, a ship that fleets the gulf.-2. To hasten over; to cause to pass lightly, or in mirth and joy. Many young gentlemen flock to him every day, and fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden Shak age. 3. Naut. (a) to slack off a tackle and draw 292 Fleet-dike, Fleet-dyke (flet'dik), n. A dike for preventing inundation, as along the banks of rivers, &c. Fleetent (flet'en), old pp. of fleet, to skim the cream off.-Fleeten-face, a person who has a face of the colour of whey or skimmed milk; a whey-face. You know where you are, you fleeten face. Beau. & FI Fleet-foot, Fleet-footed (flet'fut, flet'futed), a. Swift of foot; running or able to run Shak. with rapidity. The fleet-foot roe.' Fleeting (flet'ing), p. and a. Passing rapidly; hastening away; transient; not durable; as, the fleeting hours or moments. Some flecting good that mocks me with the view. Goldsmith. See -Transient, Transitory, Fleeting. under TRANSIENT. Fleetingly (flet'ing-li), adv. In a fleeting manner. Fleetly (flet'li), adv. rapidly; swiftly. In a fleet manner; Fleet Marriages (flet' ma-rij-ez), n. pl. Clandestine marriages at one time performed without banns or license by needy chaplains in the Fleet Prison, London, suppressed by the marriage act in 1754. See FLEET BOOKS. Fleetness (flet'nes), n. The quality of being fleet; swiftness; rapidity; velocity; celerity; speed; as, the fleetness of a horse or deer. Fleg (fleg), v.t. [A. Sax. fligan, to put to flight, caus. of fleohan, to flee, or fleôgan, to fly.] To affright; to terrify. [Scotch.] Fleg (fleg), v.i. To be afraid; to take fright. [Scotch.] Fleg (fleg), n. [Scotch.] 1. A fright.-2. A random stroke; a blow; a kick. She's gien me mony a jirt an' fleg, Sin' I could striddle o'er a rig. Flegm (flem), n. Same as Phlegm. Flegmatic (fleg-mat'ik), a. Same as Phlegmatic. Fleich (flech), v.t. Same as Fleech. Fleme, v. t. (A. Sax. flyman, to banish.] To banish. Chaucer. Burns. Flemens-firth, Flymans-fyrmth (fle'menz-fèrth, fli'mans-férmth), n. [A. Sax. flyman feormth, flyman fyrmth, the harbouring and giving food to a fugitiveflyma, a fugitive, genit. flyman, and fyrmth feormth, hospitable reception.] 1. The offence of harbouring a fugitive, the penalty attached to which was one of the rights of the crown.-2. An asylum for outlaws. And ill beseems your rank and birth, To make your towers a flemens-firth. Sir W. Scott. Flemer, n. A banisher. Chaucer. Fleming (flem'ing), n. A native of Flanders. Flemish (flem'ish), a. Pertaining to Flanders.-Flemish bond, a mode of laying bricks, being that species of bond which exhibits a header and stretcher alternately. See BOND.-Flemish brick, a species of hard yellow brick used for paving. - Flemish eye. See under EYE.-Flemish horse (naut.), the outer short foot-rope for the man at the earing, the outer end of which is spliced round a thimble on the goose-neck of the studding-sail boom-iron, while the inner end is seized by its eye within the braceblock-strop and head-earing-cleat. Smyth. -Flemish school, the school of painting formed in Flanders by the brothers Van Eyck, at the commencement of the fifteenth century. The chief early masters were Memling, Weyden, Matsys, Mabus, and Moro. Of those of the second period, Rubens and Vandyck, Snyders, Jordaens, Gaspar de Crayer, and the younger Teniers, take the highest place. Flemish (flem'ish), n. 1. The language of the Flemings. 2. The people of Flanders. Flemit (flem'it), p. and a. Frightened. [Scotch.] Flénu Coal (fle-nö kōl), n. [From the name FLESH-FORK substance forming a large part of an animal; consisting of the softer solids, as distinguished from the bones, the skin, and the fluids. It consists chiefly of fibrin, with albumen, gelatin, hæmatosin, fat, phosphate of sodium, phosphate of potassium, phosphate and carbonate of calcium, sulphate of potassium, and chloride of sodium. The solid part is, besides, permeated by an acid fluid, called flesh-juice. It has a red colour, and contains dissolved a number of both The organic and inorganic substances. organic matter consists of albumen, casein. creatine, and creatinine, inosic and several other acids; the inorganic, of alkaline sulphates, chlorides, and phosphates, with lime, iron, and magnesia.-2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; especially, the body of beasts and fowls used as food, distinct from fish. Flesh without being qualified with acids, is too alkalescent a diet. Arbuthnot. 3. The body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person. As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Shak. 4. The human race; mankind; humanity. All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Gen. vi. 12. And she was fairest of all flesh on earth. Tennyson. 5. Human nature: (a) in a good sense, tenderness; human feeling; gentleness. There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. Cowper. (b) Desire for sensual gratification; carnality; corporeal appetites; as, to mortify the flesh. Gal. v. 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit. (c) In theol. the character as influenced by animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul apart from spiritual influences.-6. Kindred; stock; family; near relative or relatives. He is our brother and our flesh. Gen. xxxvii. 27. 7. In bot. the soft pulpy substance of fruit; also that part of a root, fruit, &c., which is fit to be eaten.-To be in the flesh, (a) to be alive. (b) In Scrip. to be under the carnal ordinances of the law. Rom. vii. 5.-To be one flesh, to be closely united, as in marriage. Gen. ii. 24. After the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner; according to the tendencies or appetites of the human heart. An arm of flesh, human strength or aid.-Flesh and blood, the entire body; man in his physical personality. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. xv. 50. Flesh (flesh), v. t. 1. To encourage by giving flesh to; to initiate to the taste of flesh: a sportsman's use of the word, from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh; hence, to use, as a lethal weapon, upon or as upon flesh, especially for the first time. Full bravely hast thou flesh'd 4. In leather manufacture, to remove flesh, fat, and loose membrane from the flesh side of, as skins and hides. Flesh-broth (flesh'broth), n. by boiling flesh in water. A brush for Flesh-brush (flesh'brush), n. exciting action in the skin by friction. Flesh-clogged (flesh'klogd), a. Encumbered with flesh. Flesh-colour (flesh'kul-ér), n. The colour of flesh; carnation. Flesh-coloured (flesh'kul-érd), a. Being of the colour of flesh. Fleshed (flesht), p. and a. 1. Initiated; accustomed; glutted.-2. Fat; fleshy. Flesher (flesh'èr), n. A butcher. [Properly a Scotch word.] Hard by a flesher on a block had laid his whittle down. Macaulay Same as Blow-fly Flesh-fly (flesh'fli), n. (which see). Flesh-fork (flesh'fork), n. A cook's fork for trying meat and taking it from the boiler. FLESHFUL Fleshful (flesh'ful), a. Fat; plump; abounding in flesh. Fleshhood (flesh'hud), n. State of being in the flesh; state of having assumed a fleshly form; state of being subject to the ills of the flesh; incarnation. Thou, who hast thyself Endured this fleshhood. E. B. Browning. Flesh-hook (flesh'hok), n. A hook to draw flesh from a pot or caldron. 1 Sam. ii. 13. Fleshiness (flesh'i-nes), n. State of being fleshy; plumpness; corpulence; grossness. Fleshing (flesh'ing), n. [Generally in the plural] A covering, as drawers, worn by actors, dancers, &c., resembling the natural skin. Now, Mrs Sleeve, mind and be very particular with the fleshings." And all the ladies who had assisted at the purification of John Gay went to get themselves measured for silk flesh-coloured leggings and blue satin slips for a piece of mythology. Jerrold Flesh-juice (flesh'jūs), n. An acid liquid which may be separated by pressing the flesh of animals of the higher orders. See under FLESH. Fleshless (flesh'les), a. Destitute of flesh; lean. Fleshliness (flesh'li-nes), n. State of being fleshly; carnal passions and appetites. Sin and fleshliness bring forth sects and heresies. Ascham. 1 Pet. ii. 11. Abstain from fleshly lusts. 3. Animal; not vegetable. Fleshly mortals.' Dryden.-4. Human; not celestial; not spiritual or divine. Vain of fleshly arm.' Milton. Fleshly wisdom.' 2 Cor. i. 12. Fleshly-minded (flesh'li-mind-ed), a. Addicted to sensual pleasures. Flesh-meat (flesh'mēt), n. Animal food; the flesh of animals prepared or used for food. Fleshment (flesh'ment), n. The act of fleshing; eagerness gained by a successful initia tion. Milton. 2. Consisting of flesh; corporeal; human. He, sovran priest, stooping his regal head, Poor fleshy tabernacle entered. Neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony. Ecclus. xvii. 16. 3. Full of pulp; pulpous; plump, as fruit.— A fleshy leaf, in bot. a leaf which is thick and juicy, with considerable firmness, as in the houseleek, cacti, &c. Flet (flet), pp. of fleet. Skimmed; as, flet milk. Flet, Fleat (flet, flēt), n. [Connected with G. flechten, to plait.] A mat of plaited straw for protecting a horse's back from injury by the load; a flackie. Simmonds. Fletch (flech), v.t. [Fr. flèche, an arrow, from O.G. flitsch, or D. flits, an arrow.] To feather, as an arrow. He dips his curses in the gall of irony; and, that they may strike the deeper, fletches them with a profane classical parody. Warburton. Fletcher (flech ́ér), n. [O. Fr. flechier, L. L. flecherius. See FLETCH.] An arrow-maker; a manufacturer of bows and arrows; hence the family name Fletcher. It is commended by our fletchers for bows, next unto yew. Mortimer. Fletet (flět), v.i. To float; to swim. Chaucer. 293 Flether (fleTH'èr), v.i. [Icel. flathra.] To flatter. A fleechin', fletherin' dedication.' Burns. [Scotch. ] Fletiferous (fle-tif'èr-us), a [L. fletus, weeping, tears, and fero, to produce.] Producing tears. Fletz (flets), a. [G. flötz.] In geol. a term, now obsolete, applied to a system of rocks corresponding to the whole series of sedimentary formations. These formations were so called because the rocks usually appear in beds more nearly horizontal than the transition class. Fleur-de-lis (flèr-de-le'), n. [Fr., flower of the lily: corrupted in English to flower-deluce.] 1. In her, a bearing as to the origin of which there is much dispute, some authorities maintaining that it represents the lily, others that it represents the head of a lance or some such warlike weapon. The fleur-de-lis has long been the distinctive bearing of the kingdom of France. It is borne on some coats one, in others three, in others five, and in some semée, or spread all over the escutcheon in great numbers. 2. In bot. the iris. Fleur-de-lis. Fleury (flö'ri), a. In her. applied to an object, as a cross, adorned with fleur-de-lis. Flew (flu), pret. of fly. Flew, Flough (flû, fluff), n. Waste downy matter, abounding in spinneries, lint manufactories, &c. See FLUE, FLUFF. Flew (flu), n. [Comp. L. G. flabbe, the chops.] The large chops of a deep-mouthed hound. Flewed (flūd), a. Having large chops; deep-mouthed. My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, So flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are hung With ears that sweep away the morning dew. Shak. Flewit (flu'it), n. [Perhaps from Fr. fouet, a lash or whip, fouetter, to lash, with inserted.] A smart blow, especially on the ear. [Scotch.] Burns. I'd rather suffer for my faut A hearty flewit. Flex (fleks), v. t. [From L. flecto, flexum, to bend.] To bend; as, a muscle flexes the arm. Flexanimoust (fleks-an'i-mus), a. (L. flecto, flexum, to bend, and animus, the mind.] Having power to bend or change the mind. That flexanimous and golden-tongued orator. Howell. Flexed (flekst), a. Bent; as, a limb in a flexed position. Flexibility (fleks-i-bil'i-ti), n. [See FLEXIBLE.] The quality of being flexible; pliancy; flexibleness; easiness to be persuaded; the quality of yielding to arguments, persuasion, or circumstances; ductility of mind; readiness to comply; facility; as, the flexibility of a language; flexibility of temper. 'The Flexible (fleks'i-bl), a. [L. flexibilis, capable flexibility of rays of light.' Newton. of being bent, from flecto, flexum, to bend.] 1. That may be bent; capable of being turned or forced from a straight line or form without breaking; pliant; yielding to pressure; not stiff; as, a flexible rod; a flexible plant.-2. Capable of yielding to entreaties, arguments, or other moral force; that may be persuaded to compliance; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; not inexorable; ductile; manageable; tractable; easy and compliant; as, the flexible minds of youth. Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people. Васт. Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible. Shak. 3. Capable of being moulded into different forms or styles; plastic; as, Greek was a flexible language.-4. That may be adapted or accommodated. This was a principle more flexible to their purpose. Rogers. SYN. Pliant, pliable, supple, tractable, manageable, ductile, yielding, facile, compliant, plastic, adaptable. Flexibleness (fleks'i-bl-nes), n. The condition or quality of being flexible; flexibility; pliableness;ductility; manageableness; tract FLICKER Flexile (fleks'il), a. [L. flexilis, from flecto, flexum, to bend.] Pliant; pliable; easily bent; yielding to power, impulse, or moral force. 'So youthful and so flexile then.' Tennyson. Flexiloquent (fleks-il'o-kwent), a. [L. flexiloquus-flexus, a bending, and loquor, to speak.] Ambiguous; equivocal. Flexion (flek'shon), n. [L. flexio, from flecto, flexum, to bend.] 1. The act of bending.2. A bending; a part bent; a fold. Of a sinuous pipe that may have some four flexions, trial would be made. Bacon. 3. A turn; an inclination; a cast. Pity causeth some tears, and a flexion or cast of the eye aside. Васон. 4. In gram. the variation of the form of words, as by declension, comparison, or conjugation. See INFLECTION.-5. In anat. that motion of a joint which gives the distal member a continually decreasing angle with the axis of the proximate part. Flexor (fleks'ér), n. In anat. a muscle whose office is to produce flexion: in opposition to the extensor. See FLEXION, 5. Flexuose (fleks'u-os), a. Same as Flexuous, 3. Flexuous (fleks'u-us), a. [L. flexuosus, from flexus, a bending, winding, from flecto, flexum, to bend.] 1. Winding; having turns or windings. The restrained flexuous rivulets of corporeal things are all contemptible. Sir K. Digby. 2. Variable; wavering; not steady. The flexuous burning of flames.' Bacon.-3. In bot. changing its direction in a curve, from joint to joint, from bud to bud, or from flower to flower. Flexura (fleks-ü'ra), n. [L., a bending.] In anat. the joint between the forearm and carpus in quadrupeds, usually called the fore-knee in the horse: analogous to the wrist-joint in man. Flexure (fleks'ür), n. [L. flexura, from flecto, flexum, to bend.] 1. The act of bending; a bending. His legs are for necessity, not flexure. Shak.-2. The form in which a thing is bent. 'The flexure of the joints.' Ray-3. Part bent; a bend; a fold. Varying with the flexures of the valley through which it meandered.' Brit. Quar. Rev. 4. † Obsequious or servile, bowing or cringing. Shak.-Flexure of a curve, in math. its bending towards or from a straight line. Fley (fly), v.t. [Softened from fleg.] To terrify; to put to flight. [Scotch.] It spak right howe-' My name is Death, Burns. Fley (fly), v.i. To take fright. [Scotch.] Fley (fly), n. A fright. [Scotch.] Flibbergib, Flibbergibber (flib'ber-jib, flib'bér-jib-er), n. A glib or oily talker; a lying knave; a sycophant. These flatterers and flibbergibs. Latimer. [Old and provincial.] Flibbergibbet, Flibbertigibbet (flib'berjib-bet, flib"bér-ti-jib'bet), n. given to a fiend by Shakspere, after Bishop Harsenet, who cites it as one whom the Jesuits affected to have cast out when pretending to work miracles, with the view of making converts. The name This is the foul fiend, flibbertigibbet; he begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. Shak. Same as Flibusterism (fli-bus'tèr-izm), n. Burke. The pirates, whom we call buccaneers improperly, the French denominated flibustiers, from the Dutch flyboats in which they made their first expeditions. Flic-flac (flik'flak), n. [Fr.] A repeated noise made by blows. Thackeray. Flichter (flicht'er), v. i. [Akin to flicker.] To flutter; to flicker. [Scotch.] Th' expectant wee things, toddlin', stacher through, To meet their dad, wi' flichterin' noise and glee. Burns. Flick (flik), n. [Onomatopoetic.] A sharp sudden stroke, as with a whip; a flip. He jumped upon the box, seized the whip, gave one flick to the off leader, and away went the four horses. Dickens. Flick (flik), v. t. To strike with a quick jerk, as with a whip; to flip. Near him, leaning listlessly against the wall, stood a strong-built countryman, flicking, with a worn-out hunting-whip, the top-boot that adorned his right foot. Dickens. Flick (flik), n. [See FLITCH.] A flitch; a flake. [Provincial.] Flicker (flik'ér), v.i. [A. Sax. ficcerian, to move the wings; G. flackern, to flare, to blaze, to flutter; D. flikkeren, to twinkleall probably affected by onomatopoetic in. FLICKER fluence, and representing rapid, vibratory, or twinkling motion, as of wings, flame, &c.] 1. To flutter; to flap the wings without flying; to strike rapidly with the wings; to keep in motion without removing. And flickering on her nest made short essays to sing. Dryden. 2. To fluctuate or waver, as a flame in a current of air or about to expire. It was the sight of that Lord Arundel Who struck, in heat, the child he loved so well; Flicker (flik'èr), n. The act of flickering or Flickermouse (flik'èr-mous), n. [E. flicker, to flutter, and mouse.] The bat; the flittermouse or flindermouse. Giddy flickermice, with leather wings.' B. Jonson. Flidget (flij), a. Fledged. 'Drive their young ones out of the nest when they be once flidge.' Holland. Flidget (flij), v. i. To get feathers; to become fledged. They every day build their nests, every hour flidge. Greene. Flier (fli'èr), n. [See FLY.] 1. One that flies or flees; a runaway; a fugitive. The gates are ope, now prove good seconds; 2. A part of a machine which, by moving Flight (lit), n. [A. Sax. fliht, from fleôgan, to fly as a bird, or fleôhan, to flee. See FLY.] 1. The act of fleeing; the act of running away to escape danger or expected evil; hasty departure. Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. By a prudent fight and cunning save 2. The act or power of flying; a passing through the air by the help of wings; volitation; the manner or mode of flying. The night-owl's lazy flight.' Shak.-3. A number of beings or things flying or passing through the air together; especially, a flock of birds, as pigeons, flying in company; the birds that fly or migrate together; the birds produced in the same season. 'The harvest flight of birds.' Johnson. At the first flight of arrows sent Full threescore Scots they slew. Chevy Chase. Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Shak. 4. A mounting; a soaring; lofty elevation and excursion; an extravagant excursion or sally; as, a flight of imagination or fancy; a flight of ambition. Trust me, dear, good humour can prevail. When airs and flights, and screams and scolding fail. 5. A long, light, feathered arrow. Pope. Not a flight drawn home E'er made that haste that they have. Beau. & Fl. 6. Sport of shooting with a particular kind of arrows. He set up his bills here in Messina, and challenged Cupid at the flight. Shak 7. The glume or husk of oats.- Flight of stairs, the series of stairs from the floor, or from one platform or landing to another. Flighted (flit'ed), a. Taking flight; flying. Flighter (flit'èr), n. In brewing and distil ling, a horizontal vane revolving over the surface of wort in a cooler, to produce a circular current in the liquor. Flightily (flit'i-li), adv. In a flighty, wild, capricious, or imaginative manner. Flightiness (flit'i-nes), n. The state of being flighty; slight delirium; extreme volatility. Her innate flightiness made her dangerous. SYN. Levity, giddiness, volatility, lightness, caprice, frivolity. Flight-shot (fit'shot), n. The distance which an arrow flies; bow-shot. 294 There stands the May-pole, half aflight-shot from the king's oak. Sir W. Scott. Flighty (flit'i), a. 1. Fleeting; swift; tran sient. The flighty purpose never is o'ertook. Shak. 2. Indulging in flights or sallies of imagination, humour, caprice, &c.; given to disordered fancies and extravagant conduct; volatile; giddy; fickle; capricious. Proofs of my flighty and paradoxical turn of mind.' Coleridge. Flim-flam (flim'flam), n. [This is a kind of reduplicated word, formed from flam; comp. as to form flip-flap, shilly-shally, whimwham, &c.] A freak; a trick. This is a pretty flim-flam. Beau. & FL. Flimsily (flimʼzi-li), adv. In a flimsy manner. Flimsiness (flim'zi-nes), n. State or quality of being flimsy; thin, weak texture; weakFlimsy (flim'zi), a. [Perhaps from the root ness; want of substance or solidity. of film (which see), or for flamsy, from flam, with term. sy, as in tricksy, whimsey.] Without strength or solid substance; without reason or plausibility; of loose and unsubstantial structure; as, flimsy cloth; a flimsy pretext; a flimsy excuse; flimsy objections. Proud of a vast extent of flimsy lines. Pope. In reply came a number of flimsy and unmeaning Macaulay. SYN. Weak, feeble, slight, superficial, shallow, vain. 1. A thin sort of paper, Flimsy (flim'zi), n. excuses. by means of which several copies of a writing may be made at once; transfer-paper. 2. A bank-note, from its being made of thin paper. When a man sends you the flimsy, he spares you the flourish. Dickens. Flinch (flinsh), v.i. [Probably a form of blench corrupted through influence of flee or fly; or, as Skeat thinks, nasalized from O. E. flecche, Fr. flechir, L. flectere, to bend.] To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain or danger; to fail in doing or persevering; to show signs of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one of the parties flinched from the contest. A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining. Locke. Flinch (flinsh), v. t. Same as Flense. Flincher (flinsh'èr), n. One who flinches or fails. Flinchingly (flinsh'ing-li), adv. In a flinching manner. Flinder (flin'der), n. [Akin D. flenter, a broken piece; G. flinter, flinder, a small plate of shining metal, a spangle, a nasal form of flitter, a spangle, from root of flit.] A small piece or splinter; a fragment: used chiefly in the plural. [Scotch.] The tough ash spear, so stout and true, Into a thousand flinders flew. Sir W. Scott. Flindermouse (flin'der-mous), n. A bat; a flittermouse. Flindersia (flin-dér'si-a), n. [After Captain M. Flinders, R. N., who, accompanied by the botanist Robert Brown, explored the coast of Australia in the beginning of the present century.] A genus of Australian lofty timber trees, nat. order Cedrelaceæ, one species of which, F. australis, yields timber scarcely inferior to mahogany, and employed by the inhabitants for many useful purposes. The woody capsule, covered with sharp-pointed tubercles, of a species found in the Moluccas, is used by the natives as a rasp for preparing roots for food. Fling (fling), v.t. pret. & pp. flung; ppr. flinging. [Perhaps a nasalized form of A. Sax. fligan, to make to fly, caus. of fleôgan, to fly.] 1. To cast, send, or throw from the hand; to hurl; as, to fling a stone at a bird. 2. To send forth or emit with violence, as though thrown from the hand. He... like Jove, his lightning flung. Dryden. 3. To shed forth; to emit; to scatter. Every beam new transient colours flings. Pope. 4. To throw to the ground; to prostrate; hence, to baffle: to defeat; as, the wrestler flung his antagonist; to fling a party in litigation. To fling about, to throw in all directions; to distribute on all sides. FLINT as, he flung down his opponent with great force. (c) To cast on the ground, as a knight throws his glove, in token of a general challenge; hence, to propose for settlement or decision. This question, so flung down before the guests, Tennyson. To fling in, to throw in; to make an allowance or deduction, or not to charge in an account; as, in settling accounts one party flings in a small sum or a few days' work. To fling off, to baffle in the chase; to defeat of prey; also, to get rid of.-To fling open, to throw open; to open suddenly or with violence; as, to fling open a door.-To fling out, to utter; to speak; as, to fling out hard words against another. To fling up, to relinquish; to abandon; as, to fling up a design. To fling the head, to throw up the head with a violent, contemptuous, or angry motion. Fling (fling), v. i. 1. To flounce; to wince; to fly into violent and irregular motions; to throw out the legs violently; as, the horse began to kick and fling.-2. To utter harsh or abusive language; to sneer; to upbraid; as, the scold began to flout and fling.-3. To start away with a sudden motion, as in token of displeasure; to rush away angrily; as, he got into a rage and flung out of the house. Seek me if your mind change before he comes back. I will no more seek you.-And away she flung. Richardson. Fling (fling), n. 1. A throw; a cast from the hand. 2. A gibe; a sneer; a sarcasm; a severe or contemptuous remark. I, who love to have a fling Swift. 3. Entire freedom of action; wild dash into pleasure, adventure, or excitement of any kind; enjoyment of pleasure to the full extent of one's opportunities. When I was as young as you, I had my fing; I led a life of pleasure. Ferrold. 4. A kind of dance: usually applied to a Scotch dance, the Highland fling, in which there is much exertion of the limbs. Fling-dust + (fling'dust), n. One who kicks up the dust; a street-walker; a woman of low character; a prostitute. Beau. & Fl. Flinger (fling'ér), n. 1. One who flings; one who jeers.-2. A dancer. [Scotch.] That's as muckle as to say that I suld hae minded you was a flinger and a fiddler yourself. Sir W. Scott. Flingin'-tree (fling'in-tre), n. The lower part of a flail which strikes the grain; a fail. [Scotch.] Burns. The thresher's weary flingin'-tree, The lee-lang day had tired me. Flinking-comb (flingk'ing-kōm), n. A dressing-table comb for the hair. Simmonds. Flint (flint), n. [A. Sax. and Dan. flint, Sw. flinta; akin to E. finder, a broken piece; G. flinter (see FLINDER), and Gr. plinthos, a brick.] 1. In mineral. a sub-species of quartz, of a yellowish or bluish gray or grayish black colour. It is amorphous, interspersed in other stones, or in nodules or rounded lumps. Its surface is generally uneven, and covered with a rind or crust. either calcareous or argillaceous. It is very hard, strikes fire with steel, and is an ingredient in glass and in all fine pottery ware. The fracture of flint is perfectly conchoidal: it is very hard, but breaks easily in every direction, and affords very sharp-edged splintery fragments. Its true native place is the upper bed of the chalk formation, in which it is formed as a series of concretions, the silica in the shells of marine animals being attracted into nodules. So stubborn flints their inward heat conceal, -Liquor of flints is a solution of flint or silica in potash.-2. A piece of flinty stone used in a flint-lock. See FLINT-LOCK. To skin a flint, to be excessively avaricious; to Flint (int), a. descend to any shift to gain money. Made or composed of flint. Flint implements, the name given by archæologists to the implements used by man before the use of metals, so called because, although occasionally found of granite, jade, serpentine, jasper, basalt, and other hard stones, those first studied were mostly formed of flint. They consist of arrow-heads, axe-heads or celts, lanceheads, knives, wedges, &c. Flint implements have been found, in the valley of the Somme and elsewhere, in apparently up FLINTERS heaved beds of drift,' and in connection with the remains of extinct species of the elephant, rhinoceros, and other mammals; and therefrom man's existence on the globe at a geological period anterior to the present has been inferred. Flint implements are still used by some savage tribes. Flinters (fin'térz), n. pl. Flinders. [Vulgar.] Flint-glass (flint'glas), n. A species of glass, so called because pulverized flints were originally employed in its manufacture. It is extensively used for domestic purposes. Its dispersive power in regard to light renders it invaluable in the manufacture of the object-glasses of telescopes and microscopes, as by combining a concave lens of flint-glass with one or two convex lenses of crown-glass, which possesses a much less dispersive power, a compound lens is formed in which the prismatic colours arising from a simple refraction are destroyed, and the lens rendered achromatic. Quartz and fine sand are now substituted for flint in the manufacture of this glass. Flint-heart, Flint-hearted (flint härt, flint'hart-ed), a. Having a hard, unfeeling heart; hard-hearted; cruel. 'Put the flintheart Persians to the sword.' Old play. Oh, pity,' gan she cry, 'flint-hearted boy. Shak. Flintiness (flint'i-nes), n. The quality of being flinty; hardness; cruelty. Flint-lock (flintlok), n. A musket-lock in which fire is produced by a flint striking on the steel pan: now superseded by locks on the percussion principle. Flint-stone (flint'ston), n. A hard siliceous stone; flint. Flinty (flint'i), a. 1. Consisting or composed of flint; as, a flinty rock.-2. Like flint; very hard; not impressible; cruel; unmerciful; inexorable; as, a flinty heart. The tyrant custom, most grave senators, Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war My thrice-driven bed of down. Shak. Gratitude, Through finty Tartar's bosom, would peep forth, And answer thanks. Shak 3. Full of or abounding in flint-stones; as, flinty ground. Flinty-rock, Flinty-slate (flint'i-rok, flint'i-slät), n. A siliceous schist of a somewhat slaty structure, occurring in beds in metamorphic strata, containing about 75 per cent. of silica, the rest being lime, magnesia, and oxide of iron. Basanite or Lydian stone, used under the name of touch-stone for testing gold by its colour, is a variety without the slaty structure. Horn-stone belongs to the same group. Flip (ip), n. [Perhaps so called because it is supposed to give one as it were a fillip or flip, to make one brisk.] A mixed liquor consisting of beer and spirit sweetened, and heated by a hot iron. Flip (flip), n. [A form of flap.] A smart blow, as with a whip; a flick. [Colloq.] Flip (flip), v.t. To flick. Latham. Flip-dog (flip'dog), n. An iron used when heated to warm flip. Flipe (flyp), v.t. [Icel. flipa, the pendulous lip of a wound. Akin E flap [Scotch.] 1. To pull off, as a stocking, by turning it inside out. -2. To ruffle back, as the skin. Flip-flap (flip'flap), n. [A reduplication of fap] The repeated noise or stroke of something broad, flat, and pliant. Flip-flap (flip'flap), adv. With a flapping noise. Flippancy (flip'an-si), n. [See FLIPPANT The state or quality of being flippant; smoothness and rapidity of speech; pertness; inconsiderate volubility; fluency of speech. Flippant (flip'ant), a [Formed from flip, flap; akin to Icel. fleipr, tattle, fleipinn, pert, petulant, fleppin, thoughtless. ] 1. Of smooth, fluent, and rapid speech; speaking with ease and rapidity; having a voluble tongue; talkative. It becometh good men, in such cases, to be flip pant and free in their speech. Barrow. 2. Speaking fluently and confidently, without knowledge or consideration; voluble and thoughtless; heedlessly pert; petulant. It ill becomes one, while he bends under the weight of insuperable objections, to grow so exceedingly Rippant. Waterland. Flippant (flip'ant), n. A flippant person. [Rare ] Flippantly (flip'ant-li), adv. In a flippant manner; fluently; with ease and volubility of speech. Flippantness (flip'ant-nes), n. The state or quality of being flippant; fluency of speech; volubility of tongue; flippancy. 295 Flipper (flip'èr), n. 1. The paddle of a seaturtle; the broad fin of a fish; the arm of a seal. Petersen and Christian practise an Esquimaux mode of attracting the seals; they scrape the ice, thus making a noise like that produced by making a hole with its flippers. M'Clintock. 2. The hand. [Slang.] Flirt (flert), v.1. [Possibly influenced by imitative tendency, and perhaps expressive of the noise made by a jerk with a light implement, as with a fan. It is from the use of the fan that the word has the sense, now generally attached to it, of coquetting, as applied to ladies. Comp. A. Sax. fleard, trifle, folly; fleardian, to trifle; G. flirren, trifles, flirren, to make a confused noise.] 1. To throw with a jerk or sudden effort or exertion; to fling suddenly. Not one to flirt a venom at her eyes, 2. To move backwards and forwards or otherwise with short, quick movements; to make coquettish motions with. FLOAT Like the borealis race That fit ere you can point their place. Burns. 2. To flutter; to rove on the wing. He cut the cord 3. To remove; to migrate; to pass rapidly, as a light substance, from one place to another. It became a received opinion that the souls of men, departing this life, did fit out of one body into some other. Hooker. 4. To remove from one habitation to another. [Old English and Scotch. 1-5. To be unstable; to be easily or often moved. And the free soul to flitting air resign'd. Dryden. Flit (flit), v.t. To cause to flit or remove; to remove; to dispossess. [Old English and Scotch.] Flitt (flit), a. Nimble; quick; swift. Two darts exceeding flit.' Spenser. See FLEET. Flitch (flich), n. [Softened form of Prov. E. flick, bacon, A. Sax. flicce, a flitch of bacon. Comp. flesh.] 1. The side of a hog salted and cured.-2. In carp. one of several associated planks fastened side by side to form a compound beam. Flite, Flyte (flyt), v.i. [A. Sax. flitan, to strive, contend, quarrel.] To scold; to quarrel; to brawl. [Old English and Scotch.] Permit some happier man To kiss your hand or flirt your fan. Lord Dorset. 3. To jibe at; to jeer at; to scoff at. I'm ashamed, I'm scorned, I'm flirted. Beau. & Fl. Flirt (flèrt), v.i. 1. To jeer or gibe; to throw harsh or sarcastic words; to utter contemp-Flite, Flyte (flýt), n. The act of scolding; tuous language. Beau. & F. - 2. To run and dart about; to be moving hastily from place to place; to be unsteady or fluttering; to act with levity or giddiness. The trembling family they daunt, They flirt, they sing, they laugh, they tattle. Gray. 3. To play the coquette; to coquet; as, to flirt with gentlemen. Flirt (flért), n. 1. A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting motion. In unfurling the fan are several little flirts and vibrations. Addison, 2. A contemptuous remark; a jibe; a jeer. One flirt at him, and then I am for the voyage. Beau. & FI 3. One who flirts; especially, a woman who acts with giddiness or plays at courtship; a pert girl; a coquette. [The term is occasionally applied to a male.] Several young firts about town had a design to cast us out of the fashionable world. Addison. General Tufto is a great flirt of mine. Thackeray. 4. A vile woman; a drab. For why may not the mother be naught, a peevish drunken flirt, a waspish coleric slut, a crazed piece, a fool, as soon as the nurse? Burton. Flirtation (flért-à'shon), n. 1. A flirting; a quick sprightly motion.-2. Desire of attracting notice; act of playing at courtship; coquetry. I assisted at the birth of that most significant word 'flirtation, which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world. ... flirtation is short of coquetry, and intimates only the first hints of approxi Chesterfield. Given to flirt mation. Flirtatious (flért-a'shus), a. ation; coquettish. Flirt-gill, Flirt-gilliant (flèrt'jil, flêrt-jil'i-an), n. A light, wanton woman; a harlot. You heard him take me up like a flirt-gill. Beau & Fl Thou took'st me up at every word I spoke, As I had been a mawkin, a flirt-gillian. Вели, & F1. Flirtigig + (flért'i-gig), n. A wanton or wild flirting girl. Flirtingly (flèrt'ing-li), adv. In a flirting manner. Flisk (flisk), v.i. [Perhaps another form of frisk.] To skip restlessly about; to bounce or caper, as a horse. [Scotch.] Flisk (flisk), v. t. To render restless; to fret. [Scotch.] Fashious fools are easiest flisket. Scotch proverb. A sudden spring or evoluFlisk (flisk), n. tion; a caper; a whim. [Scotch.] I never knew much of that sort of fine ladies; but there is something in Miss Ashton's change,-too sudden and too serious for a mere flisk of her own. Sir W. Scott. A giddy, Fliskmahoy (flisk'ma-hoi), n. gawky girl; a flirt-gill. [Scotch.] That silly fliskmahoy, Jenny Kintherout, has ta'en the exies. Sir W. Scott. Flisky (flisk'i), a. Fidgetty; unsettled; light-headed; whimsical. [Scotch.] Flit (flit), v.i. pret. & pp. flitted; ppr. flitting. [Comp. Dan. flytte, Sw. flytta, to remove. Probably akin to flee, fleet, fly, flutter, &c., but the inter-relationship of all these words is by no means clear.] 1. To fly away with a rapid motion: to dart along; to move with celerity through the air; as, a bird flits away, or flits in air; a cloud flits along. a scolding; a quarrel, with angry words; an angry dispute; a brawl. [Scotch.] I think maybe a flyte wi' the auld housekeeper at Monkbarns, or Miss Grizzel, wad do me some gude. Sir W. Scott. Flitter (flit'ér), v.i. To flutter. [Old English and Scotch.] Flitter (flit'ér), n. [See FLUTTER.] A rag; a tatter. Flittermouse (flit'èr-mous), n. [Flitter, to flutter, and mouse; G. fledermaus.] A bat; a flickermouse; a flindermouse. Flittern (flit'érn), a. In tanning, applied to the bark of young oak-trees, as distinguished from that of old trees, which is called timber-bark, and is less valuable than flittern bark as a tanning agent. Flittiness (flit'i-nes), n. State or quality of being flitty; unsteadiness; levity; lightness. That volatileness and flittiness of our memories.' Bp. Hopkins. Flitting (flit'ing), n. 1. A flying with lightness and celerity; a fluttering.-2. A removal from one habitation to another. [Scotch.] A neighbour had lent his cart for the flitting, and it was now standing loaded at the door, ready to move away. Jeffrey. 3. Furniture which is being removed from one house to another. [Scotch.] Flittingly (flit'ing-li), adv. In a flitting manner. Flitty (flit'i), a. Unstable; fluttering. 'Busying their brains in the mysterious toys of flitty motion.' Dr. H. More. Flixt (fliks), n. Down; fur. [Allied to flax (which see).] With his loll'd tongue he faintly licks his prey; Flixt (fliks), n. [Corrupted from flux.] The flux; dysentery. And loo! a womman that suffride the fix or rennyge of blood twelve yeer, cam to behynde. Wicklif's Bible. Mat. ix. 20. Flixweed (fliks'wed), n. [From its supposed power of curing flix or flux.] The Sisymbrium Sophia, a species of water-cresses, a warm, aromatic plant, sometimes used as a pot-herb, found growing on walls and waste grounds. It is also called Fine-leaved Hedgemustard. Flot (flo), n. [A. Sax. flâ, flân, an arrow.] An arrow. Float (flot), n. [A. Sax. flota, that which floats, a fleet. See the verb. In some of its meanings, however, the word has probably a different origin.] 1. That which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid; as, (a) a body or collection of timber, boards, or planks, fastened together and conveyed down a stream; a raft; a buoy. (b) The cork or quill used on an angling line, to support it and indicate the bite of a fish. (c) The small piece of ivory on the surface of the mercury in the basin of a barometer. (d) The hollow metallic sphere of a self-acting faucet which floats in the boiler of a steam-engine, or in a cistern.-2. The act of flowing; flux; flood.-3. A quantity of earth, 18 feet square and 1 deep.--4. A wave. The Mediterranean float. Shak. 5. In plastering, a long rule with a straight edge, by which the work is reduced to a plane surface. An angle float is one made to fit an internal |