FLACKET, flak'et, _n._ a flask, bottle.
FLACON, flak-ong', _n._ a scent-bottle, &c. [Fr.]
FLAFF, flaf, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to flap: to pant.--_n._ a flutter of the wings: a puff.--_v.i._ FLAF'FER, to flutter. [Imit.]
FLAG, flag, _v.i._ to grow languid or spiritless.--_pr.p._ flag'ging; _pa.p._ flagged.--_n._ FLAG'GINESS.--_adj._ FLAG'GY, limp, flabby. [Perh.
O. Fr. _flac_--L. _flaccus_; prob. influenced by imit. forms as _flap_.]
FLAG, flag, _n._ a popular name for many plants with sword-shaped leaves, mostly growing in moist situations, sometimes specially the species of iris or flower-de-luce--esp. the yellow flag: the acorus or sweet flag: (_B._) reed-grass.--_ns._ FLAG'-BAS'KET, a basket made of reeds for carrying tools; FLAG'GINESS.--_adj._ FLAG'GY, abounding in flags.--_n._ FLAG'-WORM, a worm or grub bred among flags or reeds. [Ety. obscure; cf. Dut. _flag_.]
FLAG, flag, _n._ the ensign of a ship or of troops: a banner.--_v.t._ to decorate with flags: to inform by flag-signals.--_ns._ FLAG'-CAP'TAIN, in the navy, the captain of the ship which bears the admiral's flag; FLAG'-LIEUTEN'ANT, an officer in a flag-ship, corresponding to an aide-de-camp in the army; FLAG'-OFF'ICER, a naval officer privileged to carry a flag denoting his rank--admiral, vice-admiral, rear-admiral, or commodore; FLAG'-SHIP, the ship in which an admiral sails, and which carries his flag; FLAG'STAFF, a staff or pole on which a flag is displayed.--FLAG OF DISTRESS, a flag displayed as a signal of distress--usually upside down or at half-mast; FLAG OF TRUCE, a white flag displayed during war when some pacific communication is intended between the hostile parties; BLACK FLAG, a pirate's flag, pirates generally; DIP THE FLAG, to lower the flag and then hoist it--a token of respect; HANG OUT THE RED FLAG, to give a challenge to battle; STRIKE, or LOWER, THE FLAG, to pull it down as a token of respect, submission, or surrender; WHITE FLAG, an emblem of peace; YELLOW FLAG, hoisted to show pestilence on board, also over ships, &c., in quarantine, and hospitals, &c., in time of war. [Prob.
Scand.; Dan. _flag_; Dut. _vlag_, Ger. _flagge_.]
FLAG, flag, _n._ a stone that separates in flakes or layers: a flat stone used for paving--also FLAG'STONE.--_v.t._ to pave with flagstones.--_n._ FLAG'GING, flagstones: a pavement of flagstones. [A form of _flake_; Ice.
_flaga_, a flag or slab.]
FLAGELLATE, flaj'el-[=a]t, _v.t._ to whip or scourge.--_ns._ FLAGEL'LANTISM; FLAGELL[=A]'TION; FLAG'ELL[=A]TOR, FLAGEL'LANT (also flaj'-), one who scourges himself in religious discipline.--_adjs._ FLAG'ELLATORY; FLAGELLIF'EROUS; FLAGEL'LIFORM.--_n._ FLAGEL'LUM, a scourge: (_bot._) a runner: (_biol._) a large cilium or appendage to certain infusorians, &c. [L. _flagell[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_flagellum_, dim. of _flagrum_, a whip.]
FLAGEOLET, flaj'o-let, _n._ the modern form of the old flute-a-bec, or straight flute, the simplest kind of which is the tin whistle with six holes. [Fr., dim. of O. Fr. _flageol_, _flajol_, a pipe; not through a supposed Low L. _flaut[=i]olus_--from _flauta_, a flute.]
FLAGITATE, flaj'i-t[=a]t, _v.t._ (_Carlyle_) to entreat, importune.--_n._ FLAGIT[=A]'TION.
FLAGITIOUS, fla-jish'us, _adj._ grossly wicked: guilty of enormous crimes.--_adv._ FLAGI'TIOUSLY.--_n._ FLAGI'TIOUSNESS. [L.
_flagitiosus_--_flagitium_, a disgraceful act--_flagr[=a]re_, to burn.]
FLAGON, flag'un, _n._ a vessel with a narrow neck for holding liquids. [Fr.
_flacon_ for _flascon_--Low L. _flasco_. See FLASK.]
FLAGRANT, fl[=a]'grant, _adj._ glaring: notorious: enormous.--_ns._ FL[=A]'GRANCE, FL[=A]'GRANCY.--_adv._ FL[=A]'GRANTLY. [L. _flagrans_, _pr.p._ of _flagr[=a]re_, to burn.]
FLAIL, fl[=a]l, _n._ an implement for threshing corn, consisting of a wooden bar (the _swingle_) hinged or tied to a handle: a medieval weapon with spiked iron swingle.--_v.t._ to strike with, or as if with, a flail.
[A.S. _fligel_, prob. from L. _flagellum_, a scourge.]
FLAIR, fl[=a]r, _n._ perceptiveness, discernment. [Fr.]
FLAKE, fl[=a]k, _n._ a small flat layer or film of anything: a very small loose mass, as of snow or wool.--_v.t._ to form into flakes.--_ns._ FLAKE'-WHITE, the purest white-lead for painting, in the form of scales or plates; FLAK'INESS.--_adj._ FLAK'Y. [Prob. Scand.; Ice. _floke_, flock of wool; Old High Ger. _floccho_.]
FLAKE, fl[=a]k, _n._ (_Scot._) a movable hurdle for fencing; (_naut._) a stage hung over a ship's side for caulking, &c. [Scand.; cf. Ice. _flake_; Dut. _vlaak_.]
FLAM, flam, _n._ a whim: an idle fancy: a falsehood.--_v.t._ to impose upon with such. [Prob. from _flim-flam_ or _flamfew_, a trifle, a corr. of Fr.
_fanfelue_.]
FLAMBEAU, flam'b[=o], _n._ a flaming torch:--_pl._ FLAM'BEAUX ('b[=o]z).
[Fr., _flambe_--L. _flamma_.]
FLAMBOYANT, flam-boi'ant, _adj._ of the latest style of Gothic architecture which prevailed in France in the 15th and 16th centuries, corresponding to the Perpendicular in England--from the flame-like forms of the tracery of the windows, &c.: of wavy form: gorgeously coloured. [Fr. _flamboyer_, to blaze.]
FLAME, fl[=a]m, _n._ gaseous matter undergoing combustion: the gleam or blaze of a fire: rage: ardour of temper: vigour of thought: warmth of affection: love: (_coll._) the object of love.--_v.i._ to burn as flame: to break out in passion.--_adjs._ FL[=A]ME'-COL'OURED (_Shak._), of the colour of flame, bright yellow; FL[=A]ME'LESS.--_n._ FL[=A]ME'LET, a small flame.--_adj._ FL[=A]M'ING, red: gaudy: violent.--_adv._ FL[=A]M'INGLY.--_n._ FLAMMABIL'ITY.--_adjs._ FLAMMIF'EROUS, producing flame; FLAMMIV'OMOUS, vomiting flames.--_n._ FLAM'MULE, the flames in pictures of Japanese deities.--_adj._ FL[=A]M'Y, pertaining to, or like, flame. [O. Fr. _flambe_--L. _flamma_--_flagr[=a]re_, to burn.]
FLAMEN, fl[=a]'men, _n._ a priest in ancient Rome devoted to one particular god.--_adj._ FLAMIN'ICAL. [L., from same root as _fla-gr[=a]re_, to burn.]
FLAMINGO, fla-ming'g[=o], _n._ a tropical bird of a flaming or bright-red colour, with long legs and neck. [Sp. _flamenco_--L. _flamma_, a flame.]
FLANCH, flansh, _n._ a flange: (_her._) an ordinary formed on each side of a shield by the segment of a circle.--_adj._ FLANCHED, charged with a pair of flanches. [Prob. related to _flank_.]
FLANCONADE, flang-ko-n[=a]d', _n._ (_fencing_) a thrust in the flank or side. [Fr., from _flanc_, the side.]
FLaNEUR, fla-nur', _n._ one who saunters about with gossip.--_n._ FLaN'ERIE. [Fr. _flaner_, to lounge.]
FLANGE, flanj, _n._ a projecting or raised edge or flank, as of a wheel or of a rail.--_adj._ FLANGED.--_n._ FLANGE'-RAIL, a rail having a flange on one side to prevent wheels running off. [Corr. of _flank_.]
FLANK, flangk, _n._ the side of an animal from the ribs to the thigh: the side or wing of anything, esp. of an army or fleet: a body of soldiers on the right and left extremities.--_v.t._ to attack or pass round the side of: to protect the flanks of one's own army by detached bodies of troops, or field-works, or to threaten those of the enemy by directing troops against them.--_v.i._ to be posted on the side: to touch.--_n._ FLANK'ER, a fortification which commands the flank of an assailing force.--_v.t._ (_obs._) to defend by flankers: to attack sideways.--FLANK COMPANY, the company on the right or left when a battalion is in line; FLANK FILES, the soldiers marching on the extreme right and left of a company, &c. [Fr.
_flanc_, perh. L. _flaccus_, flabby.]
FLANNEL, flan'el, _n._ a soft woollen cloth of loose texture for undergarments, &c.: the garment itself: (_pl._) the garb of cricketers, &c.--_v.t._ to wrap in or rub with flannel.--_n._ FLANNELETTE', a cotton fabric, made in imitation of flannel.--_adjs._ FLANN'ELLED; FLANN'ELLY.
[Orig. _flannen_, acc. to Skeat, from W. _gwlanen_--_gwlan_, wool; acc. to Diez, the equivalent Fr. _flanelle_ is from the O. Fr. _flaine_, a pillow-case.]
FLAP, flap, _n._ the blow or motion of a broad loose object: anything broad and flexible hanging loose, as the tail of a coat: a portion of skin or flesh detached from the underlying part for covering and growing over the end of an amputated limb.--_v.t._ to beat or move with a flap.--_v.i._ to move, as wings: to hang like a flap:--_pr.p._ flap'ping; _pa.p._ flapped.--_ns._ FLAP'DOODLE, the food of fools: transparent nonsense, gross flattery, &c.; FLAP'-DRAG'ON, a play in which small edibles, as raisins, are snatched from burning brandy, and swallowed.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to swallow or devour, as in flap-dragon.--_adj._ FLAP'-EARED (_Shak._), having ears hanging like a flap.--_n._ FLAP'-JACK (_Shak._), a kind of broad, flat pancake.--_adj._ FLAP'-MOUTHED.--_n._ FLAP'PER. [Prob. imit.]
FLARE, fl[=a]r, _v.i._ to burn with a glaring, unsteady light: to glitter or flash: to display glaringly.--_n._ an unsteady light.--_p.adj._ FL[=A]'RING, giving out an unsteady light: gaudy.--_adv._ FL[=A]'RINGLY.--_adj._ FL[=A]'RY. [Prob. Scand.; cf. Norw. _flara_, to blaze.]
FLASH, flash, _n._ a momentary gleam of light: a sudden burst, as of merriment: a short transient state.--_v.i._ to break forth, as a sudden light: to break out into intellectual brilliancy: to burst out into violence.--_v.t._ to cause to flash: to expand, as blown glass, into a disc: to send by some startling or sudden means.--_n._ FLASH'-HOUSE, a brothel.--_adv._ FLASH'ILY.--_ns._ FLASH'INESS; FLASH'ING, the act of blazing: a sudden burst, as of water; FLASH'-POINT, the temperature at which an inflammable liquid takes fire--in the case of petroleum, &c., ascertained by placing oil in a vessel called a tester (used open and closed), and heating it up to a point at which sufficient vapour is generated as to give off a small flash when a light is applied to it.--_adj._ FLASH'Y, dazzling for a moment: showy but empty: (_Milt._) vapid: gay--also FLASH, vulgarly showy, gay but tawdry: pertaining to thieves, vagabonds, &c., as the '_flash_ language'=thieves' cant or slang: '_flash_ notes'=counterfeit notes.--FLASH IN THE PAN (see PAN). [Prob.
imit.; cf. Sw. prov. _flasa_, to blaze.]
FLASK, flask, _n._ a narrow-necked vessel for holding liquids: a bottle: a pocket-bottle: a horn or metal vessel for carrying powder.--_n._ FLASK'ET, a vessel in which viands are served: (_Spens._) a basket.--FLORENCE FLASK, a narrow-necked globular glass bottle of thin glass, as those in which olive-oil is brought from Italy. [A.S. _flasce_; Ger. _flasche_; prob. not Teut. acc. to Diez, but from Low L. _flasco_--L. _vasculum_, a flask.]
FLAT, flat, _adj._ smooth: level: wanting points of prominence and interest: monotonous: vapid, insipid: dejected: unqualified, positive: (_mus._) opposite of sharp.--_n._ a level plain: a tract covered by shallow water: something broad: a story or floor of a house, esp. when fitted up as a separate residence for a family: a simpleton, a gull: (_mus._) a character (b) which lowers a note a semitone.--_ns._ FLAT'BOAT, a large flat-bottomed boat for floating goods down the Mississippi, &c.; FLAT'-FISH, a name applied to marine bony fishes that have a flat body, such as the flounder, turbot, &c.--_adj._ FLAT'-FOOT'ED, having flat feet: resolute.--_adj._ and _n._ FLAT'-HEAD, having an artificially flattened head, as some American Indians of the Chinooks--the name is officially but incorrectly applied to the Selish Indians in particular.--_n._ FLAT'-[=I]'RON, an iron for smoothing cloth.--_advs._ FLAT'LING, FLAT'LONG (_Spens._, _Shak._), with the flat side down: not edgewise; FLAT'LY.--_ns._ FLAT'NESS; FLAT'-RACE, a race over open or clear ground.--_v.t._ FLAT'TEN, to make flat.--_v.i._ to become flat.--_n._ FLAT'TING, a mode of house-painting in which the paint is left without gloss.--_adj._ FLAT'TISH, somewhat flat.--_adj._ or _adv._ FLAT'WISE, flatways, or with the flat side downward.--_n._ FLAT'-WORM, a tapeworm. [From a Teut. root found in Ice.
_flatr_, flat, Sw. _flat_, Dan. _flad_, Old High Ger. _flaz_.]
FLATTER, flat'[.e]r, _v.t._ to soothe with praise and servile attentions: to please with false hopes or undue praise.--_n._ FLATT'ERER.--_adj._ FLATT'ERING, uttering false praise: pleasing to pride or vanity.--_adv._ FLATT'ERINGLY.--_n._ FLATT'ERY, false praise. [O. Fr. _flater_ (Fr.
_flatter_); Teut.; cf. Ice. _fladhra_.]
FLATULENT, flat'[=u]-lent, _adj._ affected with air in the stomach: apt to generate such: empty: vain.--_ns._ FLAT'ULENCE, FLAT'ULENCY, distension of the stomach or bowels by gases formed during digestion: windiness, emptiness.--_adv._ FLAT'ULENTLY.--_n._ FL[=A]'TUS, a puff of wind: air generated in the stomach or intestines. [Fr.,--Low L. _flatulentus_--L.
_fl[=a]re_, _flatum_, to blow.]
FLAUGHT, flaht, _n._ (_Scot._) a flight, a flapping.--_n._ FLAUGH'TER, a fluttering motion.--_v.i._ to flutter, flicker. [See FLIGHT.]
FLAUNT, flawnt, _v.i._ to fly or wave in the wind: to move or display ostentatiously: to carry a gaudy or saucy appearance.--_n._ (_Shak._) anything displayed for show.--_n._ FLAUNT'ER.--_adj._ FLAUNT'ING.--_adv._ FLAUNT'INGLY, in a flaunting or showy manner.--_adj._ FLAUNT'Y, showy.
[Prob. imit.; Skeat suggests Sw. prov. _flanka_, to waver.]
FLAUTIST. Same as FLUTIST.
FLAVESCENT, fla-ves'ent, _adj._ yellowish or turning yellow. [L.
_flavescens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _flavesc[)e]re_, to become yellow--_flavus_, yellow.]
FLAVIAN, fl[=a]v'i-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to the Flavian emperors of Rome--_Flavius_ Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian (69-96 A.D.).
FLAVINE, fl[=a]'vin, _n._ a concentrated preparation of quercitron bark, till recently an important yellow dye. [L. _flavus_, yellow.]