fl -abbr

  1. flanker
  2. floor
  3. florin
  4. flourished
  5. fluid

FL -abbr

  1. Florida
  2. focal length
  3. foreign language

Fla -abbr

  1. Florida

flab ['flab] -n

  1. soft flabby body tissue

flab·ber·gast ['fla-bər-,gast] -vt, adv

  1. to overwhelm with shock, surprise, or wonder : dumbfound

flab·by ['fla-bē] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking resilience or firmness : flaccid
  2. weak and ineffective : feeble

flac·cid ['fla-səd also 'flak-səd] -adj, n, adv

  1. not firm or stiff
  2. lacking normal or youthful firmness
    • flaccid muscles
  3. deficient in turgor
  4. lacking vigor or force
    • flaccid leadership

flack ['flak] -n

  1. one who provides publicity
  2. press agent

flack ['flak] -n

(variant of flak)

  1. antiaircraft guns
  2. the bursting shells fired from flak
  3. criticism, opposition

fla·con ['fla-kən, -,kän; fla-'kōⁿ] -n

  1. a small usu. ornamental bottle with a tight cap

flag ['flag also 'flāg] -n

  1. : any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: as
  2. iris
  3. a wild iris
  4. sweet flag
  5. a usu. rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device, or as a decoration
  6. the tail of some dogs (as a setter or hound)
  7. the long hair fringing a dog's tail
  8. the tail of a deer
  9. something used like a flag to signal or attract attention
  10. one of the cross strokes of a musical note less than a quarter note in value
  11. : something represented by a flag: as
  12. flagship
  13. an admiral functioning in his office of command
  14. nationality
  15. the nationality of registration of a ship or aircraft
  16. to signal with or as if with a flag
  17. to signal to stop
    • flagged the train
    often used with down
  18. to mark or identify with or as if with a flag
    • flagged potential problems in the proposal
  19. to call a penalty on : penalize
    • a lineman flagged for being offside
  20. to hang loose without stiffness
  21. to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless
  22. to decline in interest, attraction, or value
    • flagging stock prices
  23. a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving
  24. a piece of such stone
  25. to lay (as a pavement) with flags

flag day -n

  1. June 14 observed in various states in commemoration of the adoption in 1777 of the official U.S. flag
  2. a day on which charitable contributions are solicited in exchange for small flags

fla·gel·lant ['fla-jə-lənt, flə-'je-lənt] -n, adj

  1. a person who scourges himself or herself as a public penance
  2. a person who responds sexually to being beaten by or to beating another person

fla·gel·lar [flə-'je-lər, 'fla-jə-lər] -adj

  1. of or relating to a flagellum

flag·el·late ['fla-jə-,lāt] -vt

  1. whip, scourge
  2. to drive or punish as if by whipping

fla·gel·late ['fla-jə-lət, -,lāt; flə-'je-lət] -adj

  1. having flagella
  2. shaped like a flagellum
  3. of, relating to, or caused by flagellates
    • flagellate diarrhea

flagellate [same as ²] -n

  1. a flagellate protozoan or alga

flag·el·la·tion [,fla-jə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the act or practice of flagellating
  2. the practice of a flagellant

fla·gel·lin [flə-'je-lən] -n

  1. a polymeric protein that is the chief constituent of bacterial flagella and that determines the specificity of the flagellum in eliciting an immune response

fla·gel·lum [flə-'je-ləm] -n

  1. : any of various elongated filiform appendages of plants or animals: as
  2. the slender distal part of an antenna
  3. a long tapering process that projects singly or in groups from a cell and is the primary organ of motion of many microorganisms

fla·geo·let [,fla-jə-'let, -'lā] -n

  1. a small fipple flute resembling the treble recorder

flageolet -n

  1. a green kidney bean used in French cuisine

flag football -n

  1. a variation of football in which a player must remove a flag attached to the ballcarrier's clothing to stop the play

flagging -adj, adv

  1. languid, weak
  2. becoming progressively less : dwindling

fla·gi·tious [flə-'ji-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by scandalous crime or vice : villainous

flag·man ['flag-mən] -n

  1. a person who signals with a flag

flag of convenience

  1. registry of a merchant ship under a foreign flag in order to profit from less restrictive regulations

flag officer -n

  1. any of the officers in the navy or coast guard above captain

flag of truce

  1. a white flag carried or displayed to an enemy as an invitation to conference or parley

flag·on ['fla-gən] -n

  1. a large usu. metal or pottery vessel (as for wine) with handle and spout and often a lid
  2. a large bulging short-necked bottle
  3. the contents of a flagon

flag·pole ['flag-,pōl] -n

  1. a pole on which to raise a flag

fla·grance ['flā-grən(t)s also 'fla-] -n

  1. flagrancy

fla·gran·cy ['flā-grən(t)-sē also 'fla-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being flagrant

flag rank -n

  1. the rank of a flag officer

fla·grant ['flā-grənt also 'fla-] -adj, adv

  1. fiery hot : burning
  2. conspicuously offensive
    • flagrant errors
  3. so obviously inconsistent with what is right or proper as to appear to be a flouting of law or morality
    • flagrant violations of human rights

flagrante delicto -adv

  1. in flagrante delicto

flag·ship ['flag-,ship] -n

  1. the ship that carries the commander of a fleet or subdivision of a fleet and flies the commander's flag
  2. the finest, largest, or most important one of a series, network, or chain
    • the company's flagship store

flag·staff [-,staf] -n

  1. a staff on which a flag is hoisted

flag·stick [-,stik] -n

  1. a staff for a flag marking the location of the cup on a golf putting green

flag·stone [-,stōn] -n

  1. flag

flag stop -n

  1. a point at which a vehicle in public transportation stops only on prearrangement or signal

flagwav·er ['flag-,wā-vər] -n

  1. one who is intensely and conspicuously patriotic
  2. one who waves a flag in signaling
  3. a song intended to rouse patriotic sentiment

flagwav·ing [-viŋ] -n

  1. passionate appeal to patriotic or partisan sentiment : chauvinism

flail ['flāl] -n

  1. a hand threshing implement consisting of a wooden handle at the end of which a stouter and shorter stick is so hung as to swing freely
  2. to strike with or as if with a flail
    • arms flail ing the water
  3. to move, swing, or beat as if wielding a flail
    • flail ing a club to drive away the insects
  4. to thresh (grain) with a flail
  5. to move, swing, or beat like a flail

flair ['fler] -n

  1. a skill or instinctive ability to appreciate or make good use of something : talent
    • a flair for color
  2. inclination, tendency
    • a flair for the dramatic
  3. a uniquely attractive quality : style
    • fashionable dresses with a flair all their own

flak ['flak] -n

  1. antiaircraft guns
  2. the bursting shells fired from flak
  3. criticism, opposition

flake ['flāk] -n

  1. a small loose mass or bit
    • flake s of snow
  2. a thin flattened piece or layer : chip
  3. cocaine
  4. flake tool
  5. to cover with or as if with flakes
  6. to form or break into flakes : chip
  7. to separate into flakes
  8. to peel in flakes
  9. a stage, platform, or tray for drying fish or produce
  10. a person who is flaky : oddball

flake out -vi

  1. to fall asleep
  2. to be overcome esp. by exhaustion

flake tool -n

  1. a Stone-Age tool that is a flake of stone struck off from a larger piece called also flake

flak jacket -n

  1. a jacket containing metal plates for protection against flak
  2. a bulletproof vest called also flak vest

flaky ['flā-kē] -adj, n

  1. consisting of flakes
    • flaky snow
  2. tending to flake
    • a flaky crust
  3. markedly odd or unconventional : offbeat, wacky

flam ['flam] -n

  1. a drumbeat of two strokes of which the first is a very quick grace note

flam·be [fläm-'bā, fläⁿ-] -adj

  1. dressed or served covered with flaming liquor usu. used postpositively
    • crepes suzette flambe

flambe -vt

  1. to douse with a liquor (as brandy, rum, or cognac) and ignite

flam·beau ['flam-,bō] -n

  1. a flaming torch
  2. torch

flam·boy·ance [flam-'bȯi-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being flamboyant

flam·boy·an·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. flamboyance

flam·boy·ant [-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. characterized by waving curves suggesting flames
    • flamboyant tracery
    • flamboyant architecture
  2. marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior
    • a flamboyant performer

flamboyant -n

  1. royal poinciana

flame ['flām] -n

  1. the glowing gaseous part of a fire
  2. a state of blazing combustion
    • the car burst into flame
  3. : a condition or appearance suggesting a flame or burning: as
  4. burning zeal or passion
  5. a strong reddish-orange color
  6. brilliance, brightness
  7. sweetheart
  8. the memory, reputation, or beliefs of a deceased person
  9. memory
    • keeper of the flame
  10. an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message
  11. to burn with a flame : blaze
  12. to burst or break out violently or passionately
    • flaming with indignation
  13. to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message
  14. to shine brightly : glow
    • color flaming up in her cheeks
  15. to send or convey by means of flame
    • flame a message by signal fires
  16. : to treat or affect with flame: as
  17. to sear, sterilize, or destroy by fire
  18. flambe
  19. to send an angry, hostile, or abusive electronic message to or about

flame cell -n

  1. a hollow cell that has a tuft of vibratile cilia and is part of some lower invertebrate excretory systems (as of a platyhelminthic worm)

fla·men ['flā-mən] -n

  1. a priest esp. in ancient Rome

fla·men·co [flə-'meŋ-(,)kō] -n

  1. a vigorous rhythmic dance style of the Andalusian Gypsies
  2. a dance in flamenco style
  3. music or song suitable to accompany a flamenco dance

flame·out ['flām-,au̇t] -n

  1. the unintentional cessation of operation of a jet airplane engine
  2. a sudden downfall, failure, or cessation
  3. a person whose successful career ends abruptly

flame out -vi

  1. to fail spectacularly and esp. prematurely

flame photometer -n, adj

  1. a spectrophotometer in which a spray of metallic salts in solution is vaporized in a very hot flame and subjected to quantitative analysis by measuring the intensities of the spectral lines of the metals present

flame·proof ['flām-,prüf] -adj, vt, n

  1. resistant to damage or burning on contact with flame

flameretardant -adj

  1. made or treated so as to resist burning

flame stitch -n

  1. a needlepoint stitch that produces a pattern resembling flames

flame·throw·er [-,thrō-ər] -n

  1. a device that expels from a nozzle a burning stream of liquid or semiliquid fuel under pressure
  2. a pitcher who throws hard : a fastball pitcher

flame tree -n

  1. : any of several trees or shrubs with showy scarlet or yellow flowers: as
  2. a tree ( Brachychiton acerifoliumof the family Sterculiaceae) of southern Australia with panicles of brilliant scarlet flowers
  3. royal poinciana

flaming -adj, adv

  1. resembling or suggesting a flame in color, brilliance, or wavy outline
    • the flaming sunset sky
    • flaming red hair
  2. being on fire : blazing
    • a flaming torch
  3. intense, passionate
    • flaming youth
  4. used as an intensive
    • you flaming idiot

fla·min·go [flə-'miŋ-(,)gō] -n

  1. any of several large aquatic birds (family Phoenicopteridae) with long legs and neck, webbed feet, a broad lamellate bill resembling that of a duck but abruptly bent downward, and usu. rosy-white plumage with scarlet wing coverts and black wing quills

flam·ma·bil·i·ty [,fla-mə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. ability to support combustion
  2. a high capacity for combustion

flam·ma·ble ['fla-mə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly

flan ['flan, 'fläⁿn] -n

  1. an open pie containing any of various sweet or savory fillings
  2. custard baked with a caramel glaze
  3. the metal disk of a coin, token, or medal as distinguished from the design and lettering stamped on it

fla·neur [flä-'nər] -n

  1. an idle man-about-town

flange ['flanj] -n

  1. a rib or rim for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object
    • a flange on a pipe
    • a flange on a wheel
  2. a projecting edge of cloth used for decoration on clothing
    • a jacket with flange shoulders
  3. to furnish with a flange

flank ['flaŋk] -n

  1. the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip
  2. the side of a quadruped
  3. a cut of meat from this part of an animal
  4. side
  5. the right or left of a formation
  6. the area along either side of a heraldic shield
  7. to be situated at the side of
  8. to be situated on both sides of
    • a road flank ed with linden trees
  9. to place something on each side of
  10. to protect a flank of
  11. to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)

flan·ken ['fläŋ-kən] -n

  1. beef flank cooked esp. by boiling

flank·er ['flaŋ-kər] -n

  1. a football player stationed wide of the formation slightly behind the line of scrimmage as a pass receiver called also flanker back

flank steak -n

  1. a pear-shaped muscle of the beef flank
  2. a steak cut from this muscle

flan·nel ['fla-nᵊl] -n, adj

  1. a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture and a slightly napped surface
  2. a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel
  3. a stout cotton fabric usu. napped on one side
  4. flannel underwear
  5. outer garments of flannel
  6. men's trousers
  7. washcloth
  8. flattering or evasive talk
  9. nonsense, rubbish

flan·nel·ette [,fla-nə-'let] -n

  1. a lightweight cotton flannel

flan·nel·mouthed ['fla-nᵊl-,mau̇tht, -,mau̇thd] -adj

  1. speaking indistinctly
  2. speaking in a tricky or ingratiating way

flap ['flap] -n

  1. a stroke with something broad : slap
  2. something broad and flat used for striking
  3. : something that is broad, limber, or flat and usu. thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: as
  4. a piece on a garment that hangs free
  5. a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover
  6. a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
  7. an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
  8. the motion of something broad and limber (as a sail or wing)
  9. a movable auxiliary airfoil usu. attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag
  10. a state of excitement or agitation : tizzy, uproar
  11. something (as an incident or remark) that generates an uproar
  12. a consonant (as the sound d in ladderand t in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth called also tap
  13. to beat with or as if with a flap
  14. to toss sharply : fling
  15. to move or cause to move in flaps
  16. to sway loosely usu. with a noise of striking and esp. when moved by wind
  17. to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings
  18. to progress by flapping
  19. to flutter ineffectively
  20. to talk foolishly and persistently

flap·doo·dle ['flap-,dü-dᵊl] -n

  1. nonsense

flap·jack [-,jak] -n

  1. pancake

flap·pa·ble ['fla-pə-bəl] -adj

  1. easily upset

flap·per ['fla-pər] -n

  1. something used in flapping or striking
  2. one that flaps
  3. flipper
  4. a young woman
  5. a young woman of the period of World War I and the following decade who showed freedom from conventions (as in conduct)

flap·py ['fla-pē] -adj

  1. flapping or tending to flap

flare ['fler] -n

  1. a fire or blaze of light used esp. to signal, illuminate, or attract attention
  2. a device or composition used to produce such a flare
  3. an unsteady glaring light
  4. solar flare
  5. a sudden increase and decrease in the brightness of a star often amounting to a difference of several magnitudes
  6. a sudden outburst (as of excitement or anger)
  7. flare-up
  8. a spreading outward
  9. a place or part that spreads
  10. an area of skin flush
  11. light resulting from reflection (as between lens surfaces) or an effect of this light (as a fogged or dense area in a photographic negative)
  12. a short pass in football thrown to a back who is running toward the sideline
  13. a weakly hit fly ball in baseball
    • a flare into short right field
  14. pants that flare toward the bottom
  15. to burn with an unsteady flame
  16. to stream in the wind
  17. to shine with a sudden light
    • a match flare s in the darkness
  18. to become suddenly excited or angry usu. used with up
  19. to break out or intensify usu. suddenly or violently often used with up
  20. to express strong emotion (as anger)
  21. to open or spread outward
    • the pants flare at the bottom
  22. to display conspicuously
    • flaring her scarf to attract attention
  23. to cause to flare
    • the breeze flare s the candle
  24. to signal with a flare or by flaring
  25. to burn (a jet of waste gas) in the open air

flareup [-,əp] -n

  1. a sudden outburst or intensification
  2. a sudden bursting (as of a smoldering fire) into flame or light
  3. a sudden outburst of or increase in the symptoms of a disease or condition

flar·ing ['fler-iŋ] -adj, adv

  1. flaming or as if flaming brightly or unsteadily
  2. gaudy
    • a flaring resort hotel
  3. opening or spreading outward
    • flaring nostrils

flash ['flash] -vb

  1. rush, dash used of flowing water
  2. to break forth in or like a sudden flame or flare
  3. to appear suddenly
    • an idea flash es into her mind
  4. to move with great speed
    • the days flash by
  5. to break forth or out so as to make a sudden display
    • the sun flash ed from behind a cloud
  6. to act or speak vehemently and suddenly esp. in anger
  7. to give off light suddenly or in transient bursts
  8. to glow or gleam esp. with animation or passion
    • her eyes flash ed with anger
  9. to change suddenly or violently into vapor
    • hot water flash ing to steam under reduced pressure
  10. to expose one's breasts or genitals usu. suddenly and briefly in public
  11. to have sudden insight often used with on
  12. splash
  13. to fill by a sudden inflow of water
  14. to cause the sudden appearance of (light)
  15. to cause to burst violently into flame
  16. to cause (light) to reflect
  17. to cause (as a mirror) to reflect light
  18. to cause (a lamp) to flash
  19. to convey by means of flashes of light
  20. to make known or cause to appear with great speed
    • flash a message on the screen
  21. to display obtrusively and ostentatiously
    • always flash ing a roll of bills
  22. to expose to view usu. suddenly and briefly
    • flash ed a badge
  23. : to cover with or form into a thin layer: as
  24. to protect against rain by covering with sheet metal or a substitute
  25. to coat (as glass) with a thin layer (as of metal or a differently colored glass)
  26. to subject (an exposed photographic negative or positive) to a supplementary uniform exposure to light before development in order to modify detail or tone
  27. to expose one's breasts or genitals usu. suddenly and briefly to
    • flash ed the audience
  28. a sudden burst of light
  29. a movement of a flag in signaling
  30. a sudden and often brilliant burst
    • a flash of wit
  31. a brief time
  32. show, display
  33. a vulgar ostentatious display
  34. a showy ostentatious person
  35. one that attracts notice
  36. an outstanding athlete
  37. pizzazz
  38. thieves' slang
  39. : something flashed: as
  40. glimpse, look
  41. smile
  42. a first brief news report
  43. flashlight
  44. a quick-spreading flame or momentary intense outburst of radiant heat
  45. flashlight
  46. a device for producing a flashlight for taking photographs
  47. rush
  48. the rapid conversion of a liquid into vapor
  49. flashy, showy
  50. of, relating to, or characteristic of flashy people or things
    • flash behavior
  51. of, relating to, or characteristic of persons considered social outcasts
    • flash language
  52. of sudden origin and short duration
    • a flash fire
  53. by very brief exposure to an intense altering agent (as heat or cold)
    • flash fry
    • flash freeze

flash·back ['flash-,bak] -n

  1. a recession of flame to an unwanted position (as into a blowpipe)
  2. interruption of chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection of events of earlier occurrence
  3. an instance of flashback
  4. a past incident recurring vividly in the mind

flash back -vi

  1. to focus one's mind on or vividly remember a past time or incident usu. used with to
    • flashed back to my childhood
  2. to employ a flashback (as in a film) usu. used with to

flash·board [-,bȯrd] -n

  1. one or more boards projecting above the top of a dam to increase the depth of the water

flash·bulb [-,bəlb] -n

  1. an electric bulb that can be used only once to produce a brief and very bright flash for taking photographs

flash card -n

  1. a card bearing words, numbers, or pictures that is briefly displayed (as by a teacher to a class) usu. as a learning aid

flash·cube ['flash-,kyüb] -n

  1. a cubical device incorporating four flashbulbs

flash·er ['fla-shər] -n

  1. : one that flashes: as
  2. a light (as a traffic signal or automobile light) that flashes to catch attention
  3. a device for automatically flashing a light
  4. an exhibitionist who flashes

flash flood -n, vb

  1. a local flood of great volume and short duration generally resulting from heavy rainfall in the immediate vicinity

flashfor·ward ['flash-'fȯr-wərd] -n, vi

  1. interruption of chronological sequence (as in a film or novel) by interjection of events of future occurrence
  2. an instance of flash-forward

flash·gun [-,gən] -n

  1. a device for producing a bright flash of light for photography

flash·ing ['fla-shiŋ] -n

  1. sheet metal used in waterproofing (as at roof valleys or hips or the angle between a chimney and a roof)

flash in the pan

  1. a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing
  2. one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless

flash·lamp ['flash-,lamp] -n

  1. a lamp for producing a brief but intense flash of light (as for taking photographs)

flash·light ['flash-,līt] -n

  1. a sudden bright artificial light used in taking photographic pictures
  2. a photograph taken by such a light
  3. a small battery-operated portable electric light

flash memory -n

  1. a computer memory chip that retains its data even without a connection to a power source

flash mob -n

  1. a group of people summoned (as by e-mail or text message) to a designated location at a specified time to perform an indicated action before dispersing

flash·over [-,ō-vər] -n

  1. an abnormal electrical discharge (as through the air to the ground from a high potential source or between two conducting portions of a structure)
  2. the sudden spread of flame over an area when it becomes heated to the flash point

flash point -n

  1. the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame
  2. a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being
  3. tinderbox

flash·tube ['flash-,t(y)üb] -n

  1. a gas discharge tube that produces very brief intense flashes of light and is used esp. in photography

flashy ['fla-shē] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking in substance or flavor : insipid
  2. momentarily dazzling
  3. superficially attractive or impressive
  4. ostentatious or showy often beyond the bounds of good taste
  5. marked by gaudy brightness

flask ['flask, 'fläsk] -n

  1. : a container often somewhat narrowed toward the outlet and often fitted with a closure: as
  2. a broad flattened necked vessel used esp. to carry alcoholic beverages on the person
  3. thermos

flat ['flat] -adj, adv, n

  1. lying at full length or spread out upon the ground : prostrate
  2. utterly ruined or destroyed
  3. resting with a surface against something
  4. having a continuous horizontal surface
  5. being or characterized by a horizontal line or tracing without peaks or depressions
    • a flat EEG
  6. having a relatively smooth or even surface
  7. arranged or laid out so as to be level or even
  8. having the major surfaces essentially parallel and distinctly greater than the minor surfaces
    • a flat piece of wood
  9. very low and broad
  10. clearly unmistakable
    • a flat denial
  11. not varying : fixed
    • a flat rate
  12. having no fraction either lacking or in excess : exact
    • in a flat 10 seconds
  13. not varying significantly throughout its range
  14. lacking in animation, zest, or vigor : dull
  15. lacking flavor : tasteless
  16. lacking effervescence or sparkle
    • flat ginger ale
  17. commercially inactive
  18. characterized by no significant rise or decline from one period to another
    • sales were flat
  19. lacking air : deflated
  20. dead , discharged
  21. lowered a half step in pitch
  22. lower than the proper pitch
  23. pronounced as in bador bat
  24. having a low trajectory
  25. made so as to give little or no spin to the ball
  26. taut
  27. uniform in hue or shade
  28. having little or no illusion of depth
  29. lacking contrast
  30. lacking shadows or contours
  31. free from gloss
    • a flat paint
  32. two-dimensional
    • flat characters
  33. of, relating to, or used in competition on the flat
    • a flat horse
  34. having a mass such that expansion halts only after infinite time and collapse never occurs
  35. a level surface of land usu. used in pl.
    • sagebrush flat s
    • tidal flat s
  36. a stretch of land without obstacles
  37. a track or course for a flat race usu. used with the
    • has won twice on the flat
  38. a flat part or surface
    • the flat of one's hand
  39. a musical note or tone one half step lower than a specified note or tone
  40. a character on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a half step drop in pitch
  41. : something flat: as
  42. a shallow container for shipping produce
  43. a shallow box in which seedlings are started
  44. a flat piece of theatrical scenery
  45. a shoe or slipper having a flat heel or no heel
  46. an apartment on one floor
  47. a deflated tire
  48. the area to either side of an offensive football formation
  49. in a flat manner : directly, positively
  50. in a complete manner : absolutely
    • flat broke
  51. below the proper musical pitch
  52. without interest charge
  53. without allowance or charge for accrued interest
    • bonds sold flat
  54. flatten
  55. to lower in pitch esp. by a half step
  56. to sing or play below the true pitch

flat·bed ['flat-,bed] -adj

  1. having a horizontal bed on which the work rests
    • a flatbed printing press
    • a flatbed scanner

flatbed -n

  1. a motortruck or trailer with a body in the form of a platform or shallow box

flat·boat [-,bōt] -n

  1. a boat with a flat bottom and square ends used for transportation of bulky freight esp. in shallow waters

flat·car [-,kär] -n

  1. a railroad freight car without permanent raised sides, ends, or covering

flatcoated retriever ['flat-,kō-təd-] -n

  1. any of an English breed of medium-sized sporting dogs that have a dense smooth black or liver-colored coat

flatearth·er [,flat-'ər-thər] -n

  1. a person who believes that the planet Earth is flat

flat·fish ['flat-,fish] -n

  1. any of an order (Heterosomata) of marine typically bottom-dwelling bony fishes (as the halibuts, flounders, turbots, and soles) that as adults swim on one side of the laterally compressed body and have both eyes on the upper side

flat·foot [-,fu̇t (always so in sense 3), ,flat-'] -n

  1. a condition in which the arch of the instep is flattened so that the entire sole rests upon the ground
  2. a foot affected with flatfoot
  3. police officer
  4. a patrolman walking a regular beat
  5. sailor

flatfoot·ed ['flat-,fu̇-təd, ,flat-'] -adj, adv, n

  1. affected with flatfoot
  2. walking with a dragging or shambling gait
  3. firm and well balanced on the feet
  4. free from reservation : forthright
    • had an honest flatfooted way of saying a thing
  5. not ready : unprepared used chiefly in the phrase catch one flat-footed
  6. proceeding in a plodding or unimaginative way : pedestrian
    • flatfooted prose

flatfooted -adv

  1. in an open and determined manner : flatly
  2. with the feet flat on a surface (as the ground)

flathat ['flat-,hat] -vi, n

  1. to fly low in an airplane in a reckless manner : hedgehop

Flat·head [-,hed] -n

  1. a member of any of several No. American Indian peoples that practiced head-flattening
  2. an American Indian people of Montana
  3. any of a family (Platycephalidae) of mostly Australian and East Indian marine food fishes that resemble sculpins

flat·head catfish ['flat-,hed-] -n

  1. a large yellowish catfish ( Pylodictis olivaris) of the central and Gulf states of the U.S. with the sides and back heavily mottled with brown or black

flat·iron ['flat-,ī(-ə)rn] -n

  1. iron

flat·land ['flat-,land] -n

  1. a region in which the land is predominantly flat usu. used in pl.
  2. land that lacks significant variation in elevation

flat·let ['flat-lət] -n

  1. efficiency apartment

flat·line ['flat-,līn] -vi, n

  1. to register on an electronic monitor as having no brain waves or heartbeat
  2. die
  3. to be in a state of no progress or advancement
  4. to come to an end

flat·ling ['flat-liŋ] -adv

  1. with a flat side or edge

flat·mate ['flat-,māt] -n

  1. one of two or more persons sharing the same flat

flatout ['flat-,au̇t] -adj

  1. being or going at maximum effort or speed
  2. out-and-out, downright
    • it was a flatout lie

flat out -adv

  1. in a blunt and direct manner : openly
    • called flat out for revolution -- Nat'l Review
  2. at top speed or peak performance
    • the car does 180 m.p.h. flat out
  3. absolutely, downright usu. used as an intensive
    • is just flat-out confusing

flatpan·el ['flat-'pa-nᵊl] -adj

  1. relating to or being a thin flat video display (as for a portable computer)

flatpicking ['flat-,pi-kiŋ] -n

  1. a method of playing a stringed instrument (as a guitar) with a plectrum held between the thumb and index finger

flat race -n

  1. a race (as for horses) on a level course without obstacles (as hurdles)

flat tax -n

  1. proportional tax

flat·ten ['fla-tᵊn] -vb, n

  1. : to make flat: as
  2. to make level or smooth
  3. to knock down
  4. to defeat decisively
  5. to make dull or uninspired often used with out
  6. to make (as paint) lusterless
  7. to stabilize esp. at a lower level
  8. : to become flat or flatter: as
  9. to become dull or spiritless
  10. to extend in or into a flat position or form
  11. to become uniform or stabilized often at a new lower level usu. used with out

flat·ter ['fla-tər] -vb, n, adv

  1. to praise excessively esp. from motives of self-interest
  2. beguile
  3. to encourage or gratify esp. with the assurance that something is right
    • I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct
  4. to portray too favorably
    • the portrait flatter s him
  5. to display to advantage
    • candlelight often flatter s the face
  6. to use flattery

flatter -n

  1. one that flattens
  2. a flat-faced swage used in smithing

flat·tery ['fla-tə-rē] -n

  1. the act or practice of flattering
  2. something that flatters
  3. insincere or excessive praise
  4. a pleasing self-deception

flat·top ['flat-,täp] -n

  1. : something with a flat or flattened upper surface: as
  2. aircraft carrier
  3. a modified crew cut

flat·u·lence ['fla-chə-lən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being flatulent
  2. flatus expelled through the anus

flat·u·len·cy [-lən(t)-sē] -n

  1. flatulence

flat·u·lent [-lənt] -adj, adv

  1. likely to cause gas
  2. marked by or affected with gas generated in the intestine or stomach
  3. pompously or portentously overblown

fla·tus ['flā-təs] -n

  1. gas generated in the stomach or bowels

flat·ware ['flat-,wer] -n

  1. relatively flat tableware
  2. eating and serving utensils (as knives, forks, and spoons)

flat·ways [-,wāz] -adv

  1. flatwise

flat·wise [-,wīz] -adv

  1. with the flat surface presented in some expressed or implied position

flat·work [-,wərk] -n

  1. laundry that can be finished mechanically and does not require hand ironing

flat·worm [-,wərm] -n

  1. any of a phylum (Platyhelminthes) of soft-bodied usu. much flattened acoelomate worms (as the planarians, flukes, and tapeworms) called also platyhelminth

flaunt ['flȯnt, 'flänt] -vb, n, adv, adj

  1. to display or obtrude oneself to public notice
    • a great flaunt ing crowd -- Charles Dickens
  2. to wave or flutter showily
    • the flag flaunt s in the breeze
  3. to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade
    • flaunt ing his superiority
  4. to treat contemptuously
    • flaunt ed the rules -- Louis Untermeyer

flau·ta ['flau̇-tə] -n

  1. a usu. corn tortilla rolled tightly around a filling (as of meat) and deep-fried

flau·tist ['flȯ-tist, 'flau̇-] -n

  1. flutist

fla·va·none ['flā-və-,nōn] -n

  1. any of various aromatic ketones that often occur in plants as glycosides and that constitute a subset of the flavonoids

fla·vin ['flā-vən] -n

  1. any of a class of yellow water-soluble nitrogenous pigments derived from isoalloxazine and occurring in the form of nucleotides as coenzymes of flavoproteins
  2. riboflavin

flavin adenine dinucleotide -n

  1. a coenzyme C 27H 33N 9O 15P 2of some flavoproteins

fla·vine ['flā-,vēn] -n

  1. any of a series of yellow acridine dyes (as acriflavine) having antiseptic properties

flavin mononucleotide -n

  1. fmn

fla·vi·vi·rus ['flā-vi-,vī-rəs] -n

  1. any of a family ( Flaviviridaeand esp. genus Flavivirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted esp. by ticks and mosquitoes and including the causative agents of dengue, hepatitis C, hog cholera, Saint Louis encephalitis, West Nile fever, and yellow fever

fla·vone ['flā-,vōn] -n

  1. a colorless crystalline aromatic ketone C 15H 10O 2found in the leaves, stems, and seed capsules of many primroses
  2. any of the derivatives of this ketone many of which occur as yellow plant pigments in the form of glycosides and are used as dyestuffs

fla·vo·noid ['flā-və-,nȯid] -n

  1. any of a group of oxygen-containing aromatic antioxidant compounds that includes many common pigments (as the anthocyanins and flavones)

fla·vo·nol ['flā-və-,nȯl, -,nōl] -n

  1. any of various hydroxy derivatives of flavone

fla·vo·pro·tein [,flā-vō-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n

  1. a dehydrogenase that contains a flavin and often a metal and plays a major role in biological oxidations

fla·vor ['flā-vər] -n, adj, adv

  1. odor, fragrance
  2. the quality of something that affects the sense of taste
  3. the blend of taste and smell sensations evoked by a substance in the mouth
    • the flavor of apples
  4. a substance that flavors
    • artificial flavor s
  5. characteristic or predominant quality
    • the ethnic flavor of a neighborhood
  6. a distinctive appealing or enlivening quality
    • her performance adds flavor to the show
  7. variety
  8. a property that distinguishes different types of elementary particles (as quarks or neutrinos)
  9. any of the different types of particles that are distinguished by flavor
  10. version
    • flavor s of software
  11. one that is in the center of public attention for a limited time usu. used in phrases like flavor of the month

flavor ['flā-v(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to give or add flavor to

flavoring -n

  1. flavor

fla·vor·ist ['flā-vər-ist] -n

  1. a specialist in the creation of artificial flavors

fla·vour ['flā-vər] -n, adj, adv

(variant of flavor)

  1. odor, fragrance
  2. the quality of something that affects the sense of taste
  3. the blend of taste and smell sensations evoked by a substance in the mouth
    • the flavor of apples
  4. a substance that flavors
    • artificial flavor s
  5. characteristic or predominant quality
    • the ethnic flavor of a neighborhood
  6. a distinctive appealing or enlivening quality
    • her performance adds flavor to the show
  7. variety
  8. a property that distinguishes different types of elementary particles (as quarks or neutrinos)
  9. any of the different types of particles that are distinguished by flavor
  10. version
    • flavor s of software
  11. one that is in the center of public attention for a limited time usu. used in phrases like flavor of the month

flaw ['flȯ] -n

  1. a sudden brief burst of wind
  2. a spell of stormy weather
  3. an outburst esp. of passion
  4. a defect in physical structure or form
    • a diamond with a flaw
  5. an imperfection or weakness and esp. one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness
    • vanity was the flaw in his character
    • a flaw in the book's plot
  6. fragment
  7. to make flaws in : mar
  8. to become defective

flax ['flaks] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Linumof the family Linaceae, the flax family) of herbs
  2. a slender erect annual ( L. usitatissimum) with blue flowers commonly cultivated for its bast fiber and seed
  3. the fiber of the flax plant esp. when prepared for spinning
  4. any of several plants resembling flax

flax·en ['flak-sən] -adj

  1. made of flax
  2. resembling flax esp. in pale soft strawy color
    • flaxen hair

flax·seed ['flak(s)-,sēd] -n

  1. the small seed of flax (esp. Linum usitatissimum) used esp. as a source of oil, as a demulcent and emollient, and as a dietary supplement called also linseed

flay ['flā] -vt

  1. to strip off the skin or surface of : skin
  2. to criticize harshly : excoriate
  3. lash
    • the wind whipped up to gale fury, flay ing his face -- Richard Kent

fl dr -abbr

  1. fluid dram

flea ['flē] -n

  1. any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals

flea·bag ['flē-,bag] -n

  1. an inferior hotel or rooming house

flea·bane [-,bān] -n

  1. any of various composite plants (esp. of the genus Erigeron) that were once believed to drive away fleas

flea beetle -n

  1. any of a subfamily (Alticinae, esp. genera Alticiaand Epitrix) of small chrysomelid beetles with legs adapted for leaping that feed on foliage and include some that are agricultural pests

flea·bite ['flē-,bīt] -n

  1. the bite of a flea
  2. the red spot caused by such a bite
  3. a trifling pain or annoyance

fleabit·ten [-,bi-tᵊn] -adj

  1. having a white or gray coat flecked with a darker color
  2. bitten by or infested with fleas

flea collar -n

  1. a collar for animals (as dogs and cats) that contains insecticide for killing fleas

fleaflick·er [-,fli-kər] -n

  1. any of various offensive plays in football involving a combination of handoffs and forward or lateral passes

flea·hop·per [-,hä-pər] -n

  1. any of several small jumping bugs that feed on cultivated plants

flea market -n

  1. a usu. open-air market for secondhand articles and antiques

flea·pit [-,pit] -n

  1. a dilapidated building usu. housing a movie theater

flea·wort ['flē-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. any of three Old World plantains (esp. Plantago psyllium) whose seeds are sometimes used as a mild laxative

fleche ['flāsh, 'flesh] -n

  1. spire
  2. a slender spire above the intersection of the nave and transepts of a church

fle·chette [flā-'shet, fle-] -n

  1. a small dart-shaped projectile that is clustered in an explosive warhead, dropped as a missile from an airplane, or fired from a handheld gun

fleck ['flek] -vt

  1. streak, spot
    • whitecaps fleck ed the blue sea
  2. to color as if by sprinkling with flecks
    • his wit is fleck ed with sarcasm -- James Atlas
  3. spot, mark
    • a brown tweed with fleck s of yellow
  4. flake, particle
    • fleck s of snow drifted down

fledge ['flej] -vb

  1. to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity
  2. to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers
  3. to rear until ready for flight or independent activity
  4. to cover with or as if with feathers or down
  5. to furnish (as an arrow) with feathers

fledg·ling ['flej-liŋ] -n

  1. a young bird just fledged
  2. an immature or inexperienced person
  3. one that is new
    • a fledgling company

flee ['flē] -vb

  1. to run away often from danger or evil : fly
  2. to hurry toward a place of security
  3. to pass away swiftly : vanish
  4. to run away from : shun

fleece ['flēs] -n

  1. the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (as a sheep)
  2. the wool obtained from a sheep at one shearing
  3. any of various soft or woolly coverings
  4. a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric used chiefly for clothing
  5. to strip of money or property by fraud or extortion
  6. to charge excessively for goods or services
  7. to remove the fleece from : shear
  8. to dot or cover with fleecy masses

fleeced ['flēst] -adj

  1. covered with or as if with a fleece
  2. having a soft nap

fleecy ['flē-sē] -adj

  1. covered with, made of, or resembling fleece
    • a fleecy winter coat

fleer ['flir] -vi, adv

  1. to laugh or grimace in a coarse derisive manner : sneer
  2. a word or look of derision or mockery

fleet ['flēt] -vb

  1. drift
  2. flow
  3. to fade away : vanish
  4. to fly swiftly
  5. to cause (time) to pass usu. quickly or imperceptibly
  6. a number of warships under a single command
  7. an organization of ships and aircraft under the command of a flag officer
  8. group
  9. a group (as of ships, planes, or trucks) operated under unified control
  10. swift in motion : nimble
  11. fleeting

fleet admiral -n

  1. an admiral of the highest rank in the navy whose insignia is five stars

fleetfoot·ed [-,fu̇-təd] -adj

  1. able to run fast

fleet·ing ['flē-tiŋ] -adj, adv, n

  1. passing swiftly : transitory

Fleet Street ['flēt-] -n

  1. the London press

fleh·men ['flā-mən] -n, vi

  1. a mammalian behavior (as of horses or cats) in which the animal inhales with the mouth open and upper lip curled to facilitate exposure of the vomeronasal organ to a scent or pheromone

flei·shig ['flā-shik] -adj

  1. made of, prepared with, or used for meat or meat products

Flem·ing ['fle-miŋ] -n

  1. a member of the Germanic people inhabiting northern Belgium and a small section of northern France

Flem·ish ['fle-mish] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Flanders or the Flemings or their language

Flemish -n

  1. the Germanic language of the Flemings that is made up of dialects of Dutch
  2. flemings

Flemish giant -n

  1. any of a breed of very large solid-colored rabbits prob. of Belgian origin

flense ['flen(t)s] -vt

  1. to strip (as a whale) of blubber or skin

flesh ['flesh] -n

  1. the soft parts of the body of an animal and esp. of a vertebrate
  2. the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from internal organs, bone, and integument
  3. the condition of having ample fat on the body
    • cattle in good flesh
  4. skin
  5. edible parts of an animal
  6. flesh of a mammal or fowl eaten as food
  7. the physical nature of human beings
    • the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak -- Mt 26:41(AV)
  8. human nature
  9. human beings : humankind
  10. living beings
  11. stock, kindred
  12. a fleshy plant part used as food
  13. the fleshy part of a fruit
  14. an illusion that matter has sensation
  15. substance
    • insights buried in the flesh of the narrative -- Jan Carew
  16. to initiate or habituate esp. by giving a foretaste
  17. gratify
  18. to clothe or cover with or as if with flesh
  19. to give substance to usu. used with out
    • flesh out a plan
  20. to make fuller or more nearly complete used with out
    • museums flesh ing out their collections with borrowed works
  21. to free from flesh
  22. to become fleshy often used with up or out

flesh and blood -n

  1. corporeal nature as composed of flesh and of blood
  2. near kindred used chiefly in the phrase one's own flesh and blood
  3. substance, reality

fleshed ['flesht] -adj

  1. having flesh esp. of a specified kind often used in combination
    • pink- fleshed
    • thick- fleshed

flesh fly -n

  1. a dipteran fly whose maggots feed on flesh
  2. any of a family (Sarcophagidae) of flies some of which cause myiasis

flesh·ly ['flesh-lē] -adj

  1. corporeal, bodily
  2. of, relating to, or characterized by indulgence of bodily appetites
  3. lascivious
    • fleshly desires
  4. not spiritual : worldly
  5. fleshy
  6. having a sensuous quality
    • fleshly art

flesh·ment ['flesh-mənt] -n

  1. excitement associated with a successful beginning

flesh·pot ['flesh-,pät] -n

  1. bodily comfort : luxury
  2. a place of lascivious entertainment usu. used in pl.

fleshpress·ing ['flesh-,pre-siŋ] -n

  1. the act of greeting and shaking hands with people esp. while campaigning for political office

flesh wound -n

  1. an injury involving penetration of the body musculature without damage to bones or internal organs

fleshy ['fle-shē] -adj, n

  1. marked by, consisting of, or resembling flesh
  2. marked by abundant flesh
  3. corpulent
  4. succulent, pulpy
    • the fleshy texture of a melon
  5. not thin, dry, or membranous
    • fleshy fungi

fleshy fruit -n

  1. a fruit (as a berry, drupe, or pome) consisting largely of soft succulent tissue

fletch ['flech] -vt

  1. feather

fletch·er ['fle-chər] -n

  1. a maker of arrows

fletch·ing [-chiŋ] -n

  1. the feathers on an arrow
  2. the arrangement of such feathers

fleur de coin [,flər-də-'kwaⁿ] -adj

  1. being in the preserved mint condition

fleurdelis [,flər-də-'lē, ,flu̇r-] -n

  1. iris
  2. a conventionalized iris in artistic design and heraldry

fleu·ry ['flu̇r-ē] -adj

  1. having the ends of the arms broadening out into the heads of fleurs-de-lis

flew ['flī] -vb

(variant of fly)

  1. to move in or pass through the air with wings
  2. to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space
  3. to float, wave, or soar in the air
    • flags fly ing at half-mast
  4. to take flight : flee
  5. to fade and disappear : vanish
  6. to move, pass, or spread quickly
    • rumors were fly ing
  7. to be moved with sudden extreme emotion
    • flew into a rage
  8. to seem to pass quickly
    • the time simply flew
  9. to become expended or dissipated rapidly
  10. to operate or travel in an airplane or spacecraft
  11. to work successfully : win popular acceptance
    • knew...a pure human-rights approach would not fly -- Charles Brydon
  12. to cause to fly, float, or hang in the air
    • fly ing a kite
  13. to operate (as a balloon, aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft) in flight
  14. to journey over or through by flying
  15. to flee or escape from
  16. avoid, shun
  17. to transport by aircraft or spacecraft
  18. the action or process of flying : flight
  19. a device consisting of two or more radial vanes capable of rotating on a spindle to act as a fan or to govern the speed of clockwork or very light machinery
  20. flywheel
  21. the space over a theater stage where scenery and equipment can be hung
  22. : something attached by one edge: as
  23. a garment closing concealed by a fold of cloth extending over the fastener
  24. the length of an extended flag from its staff or support
  25. the outer or loose end of a flag
  26. a baseball hit high into the air
  27. flyleaf
  28. a sheet of material (as canvas) that is attachable to a tent for use as a double top or as a rooflike extension
  29. a football pass pattern in which the receiver runs straight downfield
  30. to hit a fly in baseball
  31. a winged insect usu. used in combination
    • may flies
    • butter fly
  32. any of a large order (Diptera) of winged or rarely wingless insects (as the housefly, mosquito, or gnat) that have the anterior wings functional, the posterior wings reduced to halteres, and segmented often headless, eyeless, and legless larvae
  33. a large stout-bodied fly
  34. a fishhook dressed (as with feathers or tinsel) to suggest an insect
  35. keen, artful

flews ['flüz] -n pl

  1. the pendulous lateral parts of a dog's upper lip

flex ['fleks] -vb

  1. to bend esp. repeatedly
  2. to move muscles so as to cause flexion of (a joint)
  3. to move or tense (a muscle) by contraction
  4. use, demonstrate
    • flex ing her skills as a singer
  5. bend
  6. an electric cord
  7. an act or instance of flexing

flexcuff ['fleks-,kəf] -n, vt

  1. a plastic strip that can be fastened as a restraint around a person's wrists or ankles

flex·i·ble ['flek-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being flexed : pliant
  2. yielding to influence : tractable
  3. characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements
    • a flexible foreign policy
    • a flexible schedule

flex·ile ['flek-səl, -,sī(-ə)l] -adj

  1. flexible

flex·ion ['flek-shən] -n

  1. the act of flexing or bending
  2. a part bent : bend
  3. inflection
  4. a bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint
  5. a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement at the shoulder or hip joint

flex·og·ra·phy [flek-'sä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a process of rotary letterpress printing using flexible plates and fast-drying inks

flex·or ['flek-sər, -,sȯr] -n

  1. a muscle serving to bend a body part (as a limb)

flex·time ['fleks-,tīm] -n

  1. a system that allows employees to choose their own times for starting and finishing work within a broad range of available hours

flex·u·ous ['flek-sh(ə-)wəs] -adj

  1. having curves, turns, or windings
  2. lithe or fluid in action or movement

flex·ur·al ['flek-sh(ə-)rəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resulting from flexure
  2. characterized by flexure

flex·ure ['flek-shər] -n

  1. the quality or state of being flexed : flexion
  2. turn, bend, fold

fley ['flā] -vt

  1. frighten

flib·ber·ti·gib·bet [,fli-bər-tē-'ji-bət] -n, adj

  1. a silly flighty person

flic ['flēk] -n

  1. a French police officer

flick ['flik] -n

  1. a light sharp jerky stroke or movement
    • a flick of the wrist
  2. a sound produced by a flick
  3. flicker
  4. to move or propel with or as if with a flick
    • flick ed her hair back over her shoulder
    • flick a switch
  5. to activate, deactivate, or change by or as if by flicking a switch
    • flick on a cigarette lighter
    • flick off the radio
  6. to strike lightly with a quick sharp motion
    • flick ed the horse with a whip
  7. to remove with light blows
    • flick ed an ash off her sleeve
  8. to go or pass quickly or abruptly
    • flick ing through some papers
  9. to direct flicks at something
  10. movie

flick·er ['fli-kər] -vb, adv

  1. to move irregularly or unsteadily : flutter
  2. to burn or shine fitfully or with a fluctuating light
    • a candle flicker ing in the window
  3. to appear briefly
  4. to cause to flicker
  5. to produce by flickering

flicker ['fli-k(ə-)rē] -n, adj

  1. an act of flickering
  2. a sudden brief movement
  3. a momentary quickening
    • a flicker of anger
  4. a slight indication : hint
    • a flicker of recognition
  5. a wavering light
  6. a repeated momentary defect in a cathode-ray tube image caused esp. by slow scanning of the screen
  7. movie often used in pl.
  8. a large barred and spotted No. American woodpecker ( Colaptes auratus) with a brown back that commonly forages on the ground for ants

flickknife ['flik-,nīf] -n

  1. switchblade

flied ['flī] -vb

(variant of fly)

  1. to move in or pass through the air with wings
  2. to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space
  3. to float, wave, or soar in the air
    • flags fly ing at half-mast
  4. to take flight : flee
  5. to fade and disappear : vanish
  6. to move, pass, or spread quickly
    • rumors were fly ing
  7. to be moved with sudden extreme emotion
    • flew into a rage
  8. to seem to pass quickly
    • the time simply flew
  9. to become expended or dissipated rapidly
  10. to operate or travel in an airplane or spacecraft
  11. to work successfully : win popular acceptance
    • knew...a pure human-rights approach would not fly -- Charles Brydon
  12. to cause to fly, float, or hang in the air
    • fly ing a kite
  13. to operate (as a balloon, aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft) in flight
  14. to journey over or through by flying
  15. to flee or escape from
  16. avoid, shun
  17. to transport by aircraft or spacecraft
  18. the action or process of flying : flight
  19. a device consisting of two or more radial vanes capable of rotating on a spindle to act as a fan or to govern the speed of clockwork or very light machinery
  20. flywheel
  21. the space over a theater stage where scenery and equipment can be hung
  22. : something attached by one edge: as
  23. a garment closing concealed by a fold of cloth extending over the fastener
  24. the length of an extended flag from its staff or support
  25. the outer or loose end of a flag
  26. a baseball hit high into the air
  27. flyleaf
  28. a sheet of material (as canvas) that is attachable to a tent for use as a double top or as a rooflike extension
  29. a football pass pattern in which the receiver runs straight downfield
  30. to hit a fly in baseball
  31. a winged insect usu. used in combination
    • may flies
    • butter fly
  32. any of a large order (Diptera) of winged or rarely wingless insects (as the housefly, mosquito, or gnat) that have the anterior wings functional, the posterior wings reduced to halteres, and segmented often headless, eyeless, and legless larvae
  33. a large stout-bodied fly
  34. a fishhook dressed (as with feathers or tinsel) to suggest an insect
  35. keen, artful

fli·er ['flī(-ə)r] -n

  1. one that flies
  2. airman
  3. a reckless or speculative venture usu. used in the phrase take a flier
  4. an advertising circular

flight ['flīt] -n, adj

  1. an act or instance of passing through the air by the use of wings
    • the flight of a bee
  2. the ability to fly
    • flight is natural to birds
  3. a passing through the air or through space outside the earth's atmosphere
    • flight of an arrow
    • flight of a rocket to the moon
  4. the distance covered in such a flight
  5. swift movement
  6. a trip made by or in an airplane or spacecraft
  7. a scheduled airplane trip
  8. a group of similar beings or objects flying through the air together
  9. a brilliant, imaginative, or unrestrained exercise or display
    • a flight of fancy
  10. a continuous series of stairs from one landing or floor to another
  11. a series (as of terraces or conveyors) resembling a flight of stairs
  12. a unit of the U.S. Air Force below a squadron
  13. flush
  14. to rise, settle, or fly in a flock
    • geese flight ing on the marsh
  15. an act or instance of running away

flight attendant -n

  1. a person who attends passengers on an airplane

flight bag -n

  1. a lightweight traveling bag with zippered outside pockets
  2. a small canvas satchel

flight deck -n

  1. the uppermost complete deck of an aircraft carrier
  2. the forward compartment in some airplanes

flight engineer -n

  1. a flight crewman responsible for mechanical operation

flight feather -n

  1. one of the quills of a bird's wing or tail that support it in flight

flight lieutenant -n

  1. a commissioned officer in the British air force who ranks with a captain in the army

flight line -n

  1. a parking and servicing area for airplanes

flight path -n

  1. the path in the air or space made or followed by something (as a particle, an airplane, or a spacecraft) in flight

flight pay -n

  1. an additional allowance paid to military personnel who take part in regular authorized aircraft flights

flight plan -n

  1. a usu. written statement (as by a pilot) of the details of an intended flight (as of an airplane or spacecraft) usu. filed with an authority

flight recorder -n

  1. a crashworthy instrument for recording flight data (as airspeed and altitude)

flight suit -n

  1. a usu. one-piece garment esp. of fire-resistant fabric worn esp. by a member of a military aircrew

flight surgeon -n

  1. a military medical officer specializing in aerospace medicine

flighttest ['flīt-,test] -vt

  1. to test (as an airplane or spacecraft) in flight

flighty ['flī-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. swift
  2. : lacking stability or steadiness:
  3. easily upset : volatile
    • a flighty temper
  4. easily excited : skittish
    • a flighty horse
  5. capricious, silly

flim·flam ['flim-,flam] -n

  1. deceptive nonsense
  2. deception, fraud

flimflam [-,fla-mə-rē] -vt, n

  1. to subject to a flimflam

flim·sy ['flim-zē] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking in physical strength or substance
    • flimsy silks
  2. of inferior materials and workmanship
  3. having little worth or plausibility
    • a flimsy excuse

flimsy -n

  1. a lightweight paper used esp. for multiple copies
  2. a document printed on flimsy

flinch ['flinch] -vi, n

  1. to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain : wince
  2. to tense the muscles involuntarily in anticipation of discomfort

flin·ders ['flin-dərz] -n pl

  1. splinters, fragments

fling ['fliŋ] -vb, n

  1. to move in a brusque or headlong manner
    • flung out of the room in a rage
  2. to kick or plunge vigorously
  3. caper
  4. to throw forcefully, impetuously, or casually
    • flung herself down on the sofa
    • clothes were flung on the floor
  5. to cast as if by throwing
    • flung off all restraint
  6. to place or send suddenly and unceremoniously
    • was arrested and flung into prison
  7. to give unrestrainedly
    • flung himself into music
  8. an act or instance of flinging
  9. a casual try or involvement
  10. a casual or brief love affair
  11. a period devoted to self-indulgence

flint ['flint] -n, adj

  1. a massive hard dark quartz that produces a spark when struck by steel
  2. an implement of flint used in prehistoric cultures
  3. a piece of flint
  4. a material used for producing a spark
  5. an alloy (as of iron and cerium) used in lighters
  6. something resembling flint in hardness

flint corn -n

  1. an Indian corn ( Zea mays indurata) having hard horny usu. rounded kernels with the soft endosperm enclosed by a hard outer layer

flint glass -n

  1. heavy brilliant glass that contains lead oxide, has a relatively high refractive index, and is used in lenses and prisms

flint·lock ['flint-,läk] -n

  1. a lock for a gun or pistol having a flint in the hammer for striking a spark to ignite the charge
  2. a firearm fitted with a flintlock

flinty ['flin-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. resembling flint
  2. stern, unyielding
    • flinty determination
  3. composed of or covered with flint

flip ['flip] -vb

  1. to toss so as to cause to turn over in the air
    • flip a coin
  2. toss
    • flip me the ball
    • flip one end of the scarf over your shoulder
  3. to cause to turn and esp. to turn over
    • flipped the car
    • flipping the pages of a book
  4. to move with a small quick motion
    • flip a switch
  5. to buy and usu. renovate (real estate) so as to quickly resell at a higher price
  6. to make a twitching or flicking movement
    • the fish flipped and flopped on the deck
  7. to change from one position to another and esp. turn over
    • the car flipped
  8. leaf
    • flipped through the pages
  9. to lose one's mind or composure often used with out
  10. to become very enthusiastic
  11. a mixed drink usu. consisting of a sweetened spiced liquor with beaten eggs
  12. an act or instance of flipping
  13. the motion used in flipping
  14. a somersault esp. in the air
  15. flippant, impertinent

flipflop ['flip-,fläp] -n, vi

  1. the sound or motion of something flapping loosely
  2. a backward handspring
  3. a sudden reversal (as of policy or strategy)
  4. a usu. electronic device or a circuit (as in a computer) capable of assuming either of two stable states
  5. a rubber sandal loosely fastened to the foot by a thong

flip off -vt

  1. to hold up the middle finger as an obscene gesture of contempt to
    • flipped off the other driver

flip·pan·cy ['fli-pən(t)-sē] -n

  1. unbecoming levity or pertness esp. in respect to grave or sacred matters

flip·pant ['fli-pənt] -adj, adv

  1. glib, talkative
  2. lacking proper respect or seriousness

flip·per ['fli-pər] -n

  1. a broad flat limb (as of a seal or cetacean) adapted for swimming
  2. a flat rubber shoe with the front expanded into a paddle used in skin diving
  3. one that flips

flip·py ['fli-pē] -adj

  1. loose and flaring at the bottom
    • a flippy skirt

flip side -n

  1. the reverse and usu. less popular side of a phonograph record
  2. a reverse or opposite side, aspect, or result
    • the flip side of deficient saving...is overconsumption -- R. S. Gay

flirt ['flərt] -vi, n, adj

  1. to move erratically : flit
  2. to behave amorously without serious intent
  3. to show superficial or casual interest or liking
    • flirt ed with the idea
  4. experiment
    • a novelist flirt ing with poetry
  5. to come close to reaching or experiencing something used with with
    • flirt ing with disaster
  6. flick
  7. to move in a jerky manner
  8. an act or instance of flirting
  9. a person who flirts

flir·ta·tious [,flər-'tā-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. inclined to flirt : coquettish

flit ['flit] -vi, n

  1. to pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition to another
  2. alter, shift
  3. to move in an erratic fluttering manner

flitch ['flich] -n

  1. a side of cured meat
  2. a side of bacon
  3. a longitudinal section of a log

flit·ter ['fli-tər] -vi

  1. flutter, flicker

flitter -n

  1. one that flits

fliv·ver ['fli-vər] -n

  1. a small cheap usu. old automobile

float ['flōt] -n

  1. an act or instance of floating
  2. : something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: as
  3. a device (as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line
  4. a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats
  5. a hollow ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern, tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level
  6. a sac containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant or animal
  7. a watertight structure giving an airplane buoyancy on water
  8. a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete)
  9. a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract
  10. a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade
  11. the vehicle and exhibit together
  12. an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection
  13. the time between a transaction (as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it
  14. the volume of a company's shares available for active trading in the auction market
  15. a soft drink with ice cream floating in it
  16. to rest on the surface of or be suspended in a fluid
  17. to drift on or through or as if on or through a fluid
    • yellow leaves float ed down
  18. wander
  19. to find a level in the international exchange market in response to the law of supply and demand and without any restrictive effect of artificial support or control
  20. to cause to float in or on the surface of a fluid
  21. to cause to float as if in a fluid
  22. flood
    • float a cranberry bog
  23. to smooth (as plaster or cement) with a float
  24. to put forth (as a proposal) for acceptance
  25. to place (an issue of securities) on the market
  26. to obtain money for the establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing and selling securities
  27. negotiate
    • float a loan

floatation [flō-'tā-shən] -n

(variant of flotation)

  1. the act, process, or state of floating
  2. an act or instance of financing (as an issue of stock)
  3. the separation of the particles of a mass of pulverized ore according to their relative capacity for floating on a given liquid
  4. any of various similar processes involving the relative capacity of materials for floating
  5. the ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow

float·er ['flō-tər] -n

  1. one that floats
  2. a person who floats something
  3. a person who votes illegally in various polling places
  4. a person without a permanent residence or regular employment
  5. a worker who moves from job to job
  6. one without fixed duties
  7. a pitched, thrown, or hit ball that moves through the air relatively slowly with little or no spin or rotation
  8. a policy insuring specific items of personal property (as jewelry or art)
  9. a bit of optical debris (as a dead cell or cell fragment) in the vitreous humor or lens that may be perceived as a spot before the eye
  10. a spot in the visual field due to such debris usu. used in pl.

float glass -n

  1. flat glass produced by solidifying molten glass on the surface of a bath of molten tin

float·ing ['flō-tiŋ] -adj

  1. buoyed on or in a fluid
  2. located out of the normal position
    • a floating kidney
  3. continually drifting or changing position
    • the floating population
  4. not presently committed or invested
    • floating capital
  5. short-term and usu. not funded
    • floating debt
  6. having no fixed value or rate
    • floating currencies
    • floating interest rates
  7. connected or constructed so as to operate and adjust smoothly
    • a floating axle

floating dock -n

  1. a dock that floats on the water and can be partly submerged to permit entry of a ship and raised to keep the ship high and dry called also floating drydock

floating island -n

  1. a dessert consisting of custard with floating masses of beaten egg whites

floatingpoint -adj

  1. expressed in, using, or being a mathematical notation in which a number is represented (as in a computer display) by an integer or a decimal fraction multiplied by a power of the number base indicated by an exponent (as in 4.52E2 for 452)

floating rib -n

  1. a rib (as one of either of the last two pairs in humans) that has no attachment to the sternum

float·plane ['flōt-,plān] -n

  1. a seaplane supported on the water by one or more floats

floaty ['flō-tē] -adj

  1. tending to float : buoyant
  2. light and billowy
    • a floaty gown

floc ['fläk] -n

  1. a flocculent mass

floc·cu·late ['flä-kyə-,lāt] -vb, n

  1. to cause to aggregate into a flocculent mass
    • flocculate clay particles
  2. to become flocculent

floc·cule ['flä-(,)kyül] -n

  1. floc

floc·cu·lent ['flä-kyə-lənt] -adj

  1. resembling wool esp. in loose fluffy organization
  2. containing, consisting of, or occurring in the form of loosely aggregated particles or soft flakes
    • a flocculent precipitate

floc·cu·lus [-ləs] -n

  1. a small loosely aggregated mass
  2. a bright or dark patch on the sun

flock ['fläk] -n

  1. a group of animals (as birds or sheep) assembled or herded together
  2. a group under the guidance of a leader
  3. a church congregation
  4. a large number
    • a flock of tourists
  5. to gather or move in a flock
    • they flock ed to the beach
  6. a tuft of wool or cotton fiber
  7. woolen or cotton refuse used for stuffing furniture and mattresses
  8. very short or pulverized fiber used esp. to form a velvety pattern on cloth or paper or a protective covering on metal
  9. floc
  10. to fill with flock
  11. to decorate with flock

flock·ing ['flä-kiŋ] -n

  1. a design in flock

floe ['flō] -n

  1. floating ice formed in a large sheet on the surface of a body of water
  2. ice floe

flog ['fläg] -vb, n

  1. to beat with or as if with a rod or whip
  2. to criticize harshly
  3. to force or urge into action : drive
  4. to sell (as stolen goods) illegally
    • flogged their employers' petrol to ordinary motorists -- Economist
  5. sell
    • traveled by horse, flogging encyclopedias -- Robert Darnton
  6. to promote aggressively : plug
    • flying around the world flogging your movies -- Peter Bogdanovich
  7. steal
  8. flap, flutter
    • sails flogging
  9. to move along with difficulty : slog

flo·ka·ti rug [flō-'kä-tē-] -n

  1. a hand-woven Greek woolen rug with a thick shaggy pile called also flokati

flood ['fləd] -n

  1. a rising and overflowing of a body of water esp. onto normally dry land
  2. a condition of overflowing
    • rivers in flood
  3. a flood described in the Bible as covering the earth in the time of Noah
  4. the flowing in of the tide
  5. an overwhelming quantity or volume
  6. a state of abundant flow or volume often used in the phrase in full flood
    • a debate in full flood
  7. floodlight
  8. to cover with a flood : inundate
  9. to fill abundantly or excessively
    • flood the market
  10. to supply an excess of fuel to (as an engine or its carburetor) so that engine operation is hampered
  11. to pour forth, go, or come in a flood
  12. to become filled with a flood

flood·gate ['fləd-,gāt] -n

  1. a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing a body of water : sluice
  2. something serving to restrain an outburst
    • opened the floodgate s of criticism

flood·light [-,līt] -n

  1. artificial illumination in a broad beam
  2. a source of such illumination
  3. a lighting unit for projecting a broad beam of light

floodlight [-,lit] -vt

  1. to illuminate by means of one or more floodlights

flood·plain ['fləd-,plān] -n

  1. level land that may be submerged by floodwaters
  2. a plain built up by stream deposition

flood tide -n

  1. a rising tide
  2. an overwhelming quantity
  3. a high point : peak

flood·wa·ter [-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n

  1. the water of a flood

flood·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a channel for diverting floodwaters

floo·ey ['flü-ē] -adj

  1. awry, askew
    • go flooey

floor ['flȯr] -n, adj

  1. the level base of a room
  2. the lower inside surface of a hollow structure (as a cave or bodily part)
  3. a ground surface
    • the ocean floor
  4. a structure dividing a building into stories
  5. story
  6. the occupants of such a floor
  7. the surface of a structure on which one travels
    • the floor of a bridge
  8. a main level space (as in a stock exchange or legislative chamber) distinguished from a platform or gallery
  9. the specially prepared or marked area on which indoor sports events take place
  10. the members of an assembly
    • took questions from the floor
  11. the right to address an assembly
    • the senator from Utah has the floor
  12. a lower limit : base
  13. to cover with a floor or flooring
  14. to knock or bring down
  15. flabbergast, dumbfound
  16. to press (the accelerator of a vehicle) to the floorboard
  17. to accelerate rapidly
    • floor ed the van

floor·board ['flȯr-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a board in a floor
  2. the floor of an automobile

floor·cloth [-,klȯth] -n

  1. a usu. decorated heavy cloth (as of canvas) used for a floor covering

floor exercise -n

  1. an event in gymnastics competition consisting of various ballet and tumbling movements (as jumps, somersaults, and handstands) performed without apparatus

floor·ing ['flȯr-iŋ] -n

  1. floor, base
  2. material for floors

floor lamp -n

  1. a tall lamp that stands on the floor

floor leader -n

  1. a member of a legislative body chosen by a party to have charge of its organization and strategy on the floor

floorlength -adj

  1. reaching to the floor
    • a floorlength gown

floor manager -n

  1. a person who directs something from the floor (as of a nominating convention)

floor show -n

  1. a series of acts presented in a nightclub

floorthrough ['flȯr-,thrü] -n

  1. an apartment that occupies an entire floor of a building

floor·walk·er ['flȯr-,wȯ-kər] -n

  1. a person employed in a retail store to oversee the salespeople and aid customers

floo·zy ['flü-zē] -n

  1. a usu. young woman of loose morals

flop ['fläp] -vb, n

  1. to swing or move loosely : flap
  2. to throw or move oneself in a heavy, clumsy, or relaxed manner
    • flopped into the chair
  3. to change or turn suddenly
  4. to go to bed
    • a place to flop at night
  5. to fail completely
    • the play flopped
  6. to move or drop heavily or noisily : cause to flop
    • flopped the bundles down
  7. right, squarely
    • fell flop on my face
  8. an act or sound of flopping
  9. a complete failure
    • the movie was a flop
  10. a place to sleep
  11. flophouse
  12. dung
    • cow flop
  13. a piece of dung

flop·house ['fläp-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a cheap rooming house or hotel

flop·py ['flä-pē] -adj, adv, n

  1. tending to flop
  2. being both soft and flexible

floppy -n

  1. floppy disk

floppy disk -n

  1. a thin plastic disk coated with magnetic material on which data for a computer can be stored

flop sweat -n

  1. nervous sweat (as of a performer) caused esp. by the fear of failing

flo·ra ['flȯr-ə] -n

  1. a treatise on or list of the plants of an area or period
  2. plant or bacterial life
  3. such life characteristic of a region, period, or special environment
    • fossil flora
    • intestinal flora

flo·ral ['flȯr-əl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or depicting flowers
    • a floral display
    • a floral design
  2. of or relating to a flora
    • floral diversity

floral -n

  1. a design or picture in which flowers predominate

floral envelope -n

  1. perianth

Flor·ence fennel ['flȯr-ən(t)s-, 'flär-] -n

  1. a fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare azoricum) cultivated for its edible bulbous stem base called also finocchio

Flor·ence flask ['flȯr-ən(t)s-, 'flär-] -n

  1. a round usu. flat-bottomed laboratory vessel with a long neck

Flor·en·tine ['flȯr-ən-,tēn, 'flär-, -,tīn] -adj

  1. of or relating to Florence, Italy
  2. machiavellian
    • Florentine politics
  3. served or dressed with spinach
    • poached eggs Florentine
  4. having a matte brushed finish
    • Florentine gold

flo·res·cence [flȯ-'re-sᵊn(t)s, flə-] -n, adj

  1. a state or period of flourishing

flo·ret ['flȯr-ət] -n

  1. a small flower
  2. one of the small flowers forming the head of a composite plant
  3. a cluster of flower buds separated from a head esp. when used as food
    • broccoli floret s

flori- -comb form

  1. flower or flowers
    • flori culture

flo·ri·at·ed ['flȯr-ē-,ā-təd] -adj, n

  1. having floral ornaments or a floral form

flo·ri·bun·da [,flȯr-ə-'bən-də] -n

  1. any of various bush roses with large flowers in open clusters that derive from crosses of polyantha and tea roses

flo·ri·cul·ture ['flȯr-ə-,kəl-chər] -n, adj

  1. the cultivation and management of ornamental and esp. flowering plants

flor·id ['flȯr-əd, 'flär-] -adj, n, adv

  1. covered with flowers
  2. very flowery in style : ornate
    • florid prose
    • florid declamations
  3. having a florid style
    • a florid writer
  4. elaborately decorated
    • a florid interior
  5. tinged with red : ruddy
    • a florid complexion
  6. marked by emotional or sexual fervor
    • a florid secret life
    • a florid sensibility
  7. healthy
  8. fully developed : manifesting a complete and typical clinical syndrome
    • the florid stage of a disease

Flor·i·da panther ['flȯr-ə-də-, 'flär-] -n

  1. a highly endangered cougar ( Felis concolor coryi) whose range is now limited to southern Florida

flo·rif·er·ous [flȯ-'ri-f(ə-)rəs] -adj, n

  1. bearing flowers
  2. blooming freely

flo·ri·gen ['flȯr-ə-jən] -n, adj

  1. a hormone or hormonal agent that promotes flowering

flo·ri·le·gium [,flȯr-ə-'lē-j(ē-)əm] -n

  1. a volume of writings : anthology

flo·rin ['flȯr-ən, 'flär-] -n

  1. an old gold coin first struck at Florence in 1252
  2. any of various European gold coins patterned after the Florentine florin
  3. a British silver coin worth two shillings
  4. any of several similar coins issued in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations
  5. gulden

flo·rist ['flȯr-ist, 'flär-] -n

  1. a person who sells or grows for sale flowers and ornamental plants

flo·ris·tic [flȯ-'ris-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to flowers, a flora, or the phytogeographical study of plants and plant groups

flo·ru·it ['flȯr-(y)ə-wət, 'flär-] -n

  1. a period of flourishing (as of a person or movement)

floss ['fläs, 'flȯs] -n

  1. soft thread of silk or mercerized cotton for embroidery
  2. dental floss
  3. fluffy fibrous material
  4. to use dental floss on
  5. to use dental floss

flossy ['flä-sē, 'flȯ-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of floss
  2. stylish or glamorous esp. at first impression
    • flossy new hotels

flo·ta ['flō-tə] -n

  1. a fleet of Spanish ships

flo·ta·tion [flō-'tā-shən] -n

  1. the act, process, or state of floating
  2. an act or instance of financing (as an issue of stock)
  3. the separation of the particles of a mass of pulverized ore according to their relative capacity for floating on a given liquid
  4. any of various similar processes involving the relative capacity of materials for floating
  5. the ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow

flo·til·la [flō-'ti-lə] -n

  1. a fleet of ships or boats
  2. a navy organizational unit consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships
  3. an indefinite large number
    • a flotilla of changes

flot·sam ['flät-səm] -n

  1. floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo
  2. floating debris
  3. a floating population (as of emigrants or castaways)
    • human flotsam
  4. miscellaneous or unimportant material
    • a notebook filled with flotsam and jetsam
  5. debris, remains
    • the village...built on the flotsam of war -- Stan Sesser

flounce ['flau̇n(t)s] -vi

  1. to move with exaggerated jerky or bouncy motions
    • flounced about the room, jerking her shoulders, gesticulating -- Agatha Christie
  2. to move so as to draw attention to oneself
    • flounced into the lobby
  3. to go with sudden determination
    • flounced out in a huff
  4. flounder, struggle
  5. an act or instance of flouncing
  6. to trim with flounces
  7. a strip of fabric attached by one edge
  8. a wide ruffle

flouncing -n

  1. material used for flounces

floun·der ['flau̇n-dər] -n

  1. flatfish
  2. a marine fish of either of two families (Pleuronectidae and Bothidae) that include important food fishes

flounder [-d(ə-)riŋ] -vi

  1. to struggle to move or obtain footing : thrash about wildly
  2. to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually

flour ['flau̇(-ə)r] -n, adj

  1. a product consisting of finely milled wheat
  2. a similar product made from another grain or food product (as dried potatoes or fish)
  3. a fine soft powder
  4. to coat with or as if with flour
  5. to break up into particles

flour beetle -n

  1. any of various small darkling beetles (esp. Tribolium confusumand T. castaneum) that typically feed on and lay eggs in stored grain and grain products

flour·ish ['flər-ish, 'flə-rish] -vb, n, adv

  1. to grow luxuriantly : thrive
  2. to achieve success : prosper
    • a flourish ing business
  3. to be in a state of activity or production
    • flourish ed around 1850
  4. to reach a height of development or influence
  5. to make bold and sweeping gestures
  6. to wield with dramatic gestures : brandish

flourish -n

  1. an act or instance of brandishing or waving
  2. a florid bit of speech or writing
    • rhetorical flourish es
  3. an ornamental stroke in writing or printing
  4. a decorative or finishing detail
    • a house with clever little flourish es
  5. fanfare
  6. a period of thriving
  7. a luxuriant growth or profusion
    • a flourish of white hair
    • a springtime flourish of color
  8. showiness in the doing of something
    • opened the door with a flourish
  9. a sudden burst
    • a flourish of activity

flout ['flau̇t] -vb, n

  1. to treat with contemptuous disregard : scorn
    • flout ing the rules
  2. to indulge in scornful behavior
  3. jeer

flow ['flō] -vb, adv

  1. to issue or move in a stream
  2. circulate
  3. to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles
    • molasses flow s slowly
  4. rise
    • the tide ebbs and flow s
  5. abound
    • a land flow ing with natural resources
  6. to proceed smoothly and readily
    • conversation flow ed easily
  7. to have a smooth continuity
  8. to hang loose and billowing
    • her gown flow ed around her
  9. to derive from a source : come
    • the wealth that flow s from trade
  10. to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing used esp. of minerals and rocks
  11. menstruate
  12. to cause to flow
  13. to discharge in a flow
  14. an act of flowing
  15. flood
  16. flood
    • the tide's ebb and flow
  17. a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress
    • a flow of information
  18. stream
  19. a mass of material which has flowed when molten
    • an old lava flow
  20. the direction of movement or development
    • go with the flow
  21. the quantity that flows in a certain time
    • a gauge that measures fuel flow
  22. menstruation
  23. the motion characteristic of fluids
  24. a continuous transfer of energy

flow·age ['flō-ij] -n

  1. an overflowing onto adjacent land
  2. a body of water formed by overflowing or damming
  3. floodwater esp. of a stream
  4. gradual deformation of a body of plastic solid (as rock) by intermolecular shear

flow·chart [-,chärt] -n

  1. a diagram that shows step-by-step progression through a procedure or system esp. using connecting lines and a set of conventional symbols

flow cy·tom·e·try [-sī-'tä-mə-trē] -n

  1. a technique for identifying and sorting cells and their components (as DNA) by staining with a fluorescent dye and detecting the fluorescence usu. by laser beam illumination

flow diagram -n

  1. flowchart

flow·er ['flau̇(-ə)r] -n, adj

  1. the part of a seed plant that normally bears reproductive organs : blossom, inflorescence
  2. a shoot of the sporophyte of a higher plant that is modified for reproduction and consists of a shortened axis bearing modified leaves
  3. one of a seed plant differentiated into a calyx, corolla, stamens, and carpels
  4. a plant cultivated for its blossoms
  5. the best part or example
    • the flower of our youth
  6. the finest most vigorous period
  7. a state of blooming or flourishing
    • in full flower
  8. a finely divided powder produced esp. by condensation or sublimation
    • flower s of sulfur

flower ['flau̇(-ə)r-ər] -vi, n

  1. develop
    • flower ed into young womanhood
  2. flourish
  3. to produce flowers : blossom
  4. to cause to bear flowers
  5. to decorate with flowers or floral designs

flow·er·age ['flau̇(-ə)r-ij] -n

  1. a flowering process, state, or condition

flower bud -n

  1. a plant bud that produces only a flower

flower bug -n

  1. any of various small mostly black-and-white predaceous bugs (family Anthocoridae) that frequent flowers and feed on pest insects (as aphids and thrips)

flower child -n

  1. a hippie who advocates love, beauty, and peace

flow·er·et ['flau̇(-ə)r-ət] -n

  1. floret

flower girl -n

  1. a little girl who carries flowers at a wedding

flower head -n

  1. a capitulum (as of a composite) having sessile flowers so arranged that the whole inflorescence looks like a single flower

flowering dogwood -n

  1. a common spring-flowering usu. white-bracted dogwood ( Cornus florida)

flowering plant -n

  1. angiosperm

flower people -n pl

  1. flower children

flow·er·pot ['flau̇(-ə)r-,pät] -n

  1. a pot in which to grow plants

flower power -n

  1. a nonviolent ethic as advocated by hippies

flow·ery ['flau̇(-ə)r-ē] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or resembling flowers
  2. marked by or given to rhetorical elegance
    • flowery speeches

flow·me·ter ['flō-,mē-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for measuring one or more properties (as velocity or pressure) of a flow (as of a liquid in a pipe)

flown ['flī] -vb

(variant of fly)

  1. to move in or pass through the air with wings
  2. to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space
  3. to float, wave, or soar in the air
    • flags fly ing at half-mast
  4. to take flight : flee
  5. to fade and disappear : vanish
  6. to move, pass, or spread quickly
    • rumors were fly ing
  7. to be moved with sudden extreme emotion
    • flew into a rage
  8. to seem to pass quickly
    • the time simply flew
  9. to become expended or dissipated rapidly
  10. to operate or travel in an airplane or spacecraft
  11. to work successfully : win popular acceptance
    • knew...a pure human-rights approach would not fly -- Charles Brydon
  12. to cause to fly, float, or hang in the air
    • fly ing a kite
  13. to operate (as a balloon, aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft) in flight
  14. to journey over or through by flying
  15. to flee or escape from
  16. avoid, shun
  17. to transport by aircraft or spacecraft
  18. the action or process of flying : flight
  19. a device consisting of two or more radial vanes capable of rotating on a spindle to act as a fan or to govern the speed of clockwork or very light machinery
  20. flywheel
  21. the space over a theater stage where scenery and equipment can be hung
  22. : something attached by one edge: as
  23. a garment closing concealed by a fold of cloth extending over the fastener
  24. the length of an extended flag from its staff or support
  25. the outer or loose end of a flag
  26. a baseball hit high into the air
  27. flyleaf
  28. a sheet of material (as canvas) that is attachable to a tent for use as a double top or as a rooflike extension
  29. a football pass pattern in which the receiver runs straight downfield
  30. to hit a fly in baseball
  31. a winged insect usu. used in combination
    • may flies
    • butter fly
  32. any of a large order (Diptera) of winged or rarely wingless insects (as the housefly, mosquito, or gnat) that have the anterior wings functional, the posterior wings reduced to halteres, and segmented often headless, eyeless, and legless larvae
  33. a large stout-bodied fly
  34. a fishhook dressed (as with feathers or tinsel) to suggest an insect
  35. keen, artful

flow sheet -n

  1. flowchart

flow·stone ['flō-,stōn] -n

  1. calcite deposited by a thin sheet of flowing water usu. along the walls or floor of a cave

fl oz -abbr

  1. fluid ounce

FLSA -abbr

  1. Fair Labor Standards Act

flu ['flü] -n, adj

  1. influenza
  2. any of several virus diseases marked esp. by respiratory or intestinal symptoms

flub ['fləb] -vb

  1. to make a mess of : botch
    • flubbed my lines
  2. blunder
  3. an act or instance of flubbing : blunder

flub·dub ['fləb-,dəb] -n

  1. bunkum, balderdash

flu·con·a·zole [flü-'kä-nə-,zōl] -n

  1. an antifungal agent C 13H 12F 2N 6O used orally to treat cryptococcal meningitis and local or systemic candida infections

fluc·tu·ant ['flək-chə-wənt, -chü-ənt] -adj

  1. moving in waves
  2. variable, unstable
  3. being movable and compressible
    • a fluctuant abscess

fluc·tu·ate ['flək-chə-,wāt, -chü-,āt] -vb, n, adj

  1. to shift back and forth uncertainly
  2. to ebb and flow in waves
  3. to cause to fluctuate

flue ['flü] -n

  1. : an enclosed passageway for directing a current: as
  2. a channel in a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air
  3. a pipe for conveying flame and hot gases around or through water in a steam boiler
  4. an air channel leading to the lip of a wind instrument
  5. flue pipe

fluecured [-,kyu̇rd] -adj

  1. cured with heat transmitted through a flue without exposure to smoke or fumes
    • fluecured tobacco

flu·en·cy ['flü-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being fluent

flu·ent ['flü-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. capable of flowing : fluid
  2. capable of moving with ease and grace
    • the fluent body of a dancer
  3. capable of using a language easily and accurately
    • fluent in Spanish
    • a fluent writer
  4. effortlessly smooth and flowing : polished
    • a fluent performance
    • spoke in fluent English
  5. having or showing mastery of a subject or skill
    • fluent in math

flue pipe -n

  1. an organ pipe whose tone is produced by an air current striking the lip and causing the air within to vibrate

flue stop -n

  1. an organ stop made up of flue pipes

fluff ['fləf] -n

  1. down
  2. something fluffy
    • dandelion fluff
  3. something inconsequential
  4. blunder
  5. an actor's lapse of memory
  6. to make fluffy
    • fluff the pillows
    • birds fluff ing up their feathers
  7. to spoil by a mistake : botch
  8. to deliver badly or forget (one's lines) in a play
  9. to become fluffy
  10. to make a mistake
  11. to forget or bungle one's lines in a play

fluffy ['flə-fē] -adj, adv, n

  1. covered with or resembling fluff
  2. being light and soft or airy : puffed up
    • a fluffy omelet
  3. lacking in meaning or substance : superficial

flu·gel·horn ['flü-gəl-,hȯrn, 'flᵫ-] -n

  1. a valved brass instrument resembling a cornet but having a larger bore

flu·id ['flü-əd] -adj, adv, n

  1. having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing
  2. subject to change or movement
    • boundaries became fluid
  3. characterized by or employing a smooth easy style
    • the ballerina's fluid movements
    • fluid recitation of his lines
  4. available for various uses
    • a fluid computer program
  5. liquid
    • fluid assets

fluid ['flü-ə-dᵊl] -n, adj, adv

  1. a substance (as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container

fluid dram [,flü-ə(d)-'dram] -n

  1. a unit of liquid capacity equal to fluid ounce

flu·id·ex·tract [,flü-əd-'ek-,strakt] -n

  1. an alcohol preparation of a plant-derived drug containing the active constituents of one gram of the dry drug in each milliliter

flu·id·ic [flü-'i-dik] -adj, n, n pl but sing in constr

  1. of, relating to, or being a device (as an amplifier or control) that depends for operation on the pressures and flows of a fluid in precisely shaped channels

flu·id·i·ty [flü-'i-də-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being fluid
  2. the physical property of a substance that enables it to flow

flu·id·ize ['flü-ə-,dīz] -vt, n

  1. to cause to flow like a fluid
  2. to suspend (as solid particles) in a rapidly moving stream of gas or vapor to induce flowing motion of the whole

fluidized bed -n

  1. a bed of small solid particles (as in a coal burning furnace) suspended and kept in motion by an upward flow of a fluid (as a gas) called also fluid bed

fluid mechanics -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a branch of mechanics dealing with the properties of liquids and gases

fluid ounce -n

  1. a U.S. unit of liquid capacity equal to pint
  2. a British unit of liquid capacity equal to pint

fluke ['flük] -n

  1. flatfish
  2. a flattened digenetic trematode worm
  3. trematode
  4. the part of an anchor that fastens in the ground
  5. one of the lobes of a whale's tail
  6. an accidentally successful stroke at billiards or pool
  7. a stroke of luck
    • the discovery was a fluke

fluky ['flü-kē] -adj

  1. happening by or depending on chance
  2. being unsteady or uncertain used esp. of wind

flume ['flüm] -n

  1. an inclined channel for conveying water (as for power)
  2. a ravine or gorge with a stream running through it

flum·mery ['fləm-rē, 'flə-mə-] -n

  1. a soft jelly or porridge made with flour or meal
  2. any of several sweet desserts
  3. mummery, mumbo jumbo

flum·mox ['flə-məks, -miks] -vt

  1. confuse

flump ['fləmp]

  1. to move or fall suddenly and heavily
    • flump ed down into the chair
  2. to place or drop with a flump
  3. a dull heavy sound (as of a fall)

flung ['fliŋ] -vb, n

(variant of fling)

  1. to move in a brusque or headlong manner
    • flung out of the room in a rage
  2. to kick or plunge vigorously
  3. caper
  4. to throw forcefully, impetuously, or casually
    • flung herself down on the sofa
    • clothes were flung on the floor
  5. to cast as if by throwing
    • flung off all restraint
  6. to place or send suddenly and unceremoniously
    • was arrested and flung into prison
  7. to give unrestrainedly
    • flung himself into music
  8. an act or instance of flinging
  9. a casual try or involvement
  10. a casual or brief love affair
  11. a period devoted to self-indulgence

flunk ['fləŋk] -vb, n

  1. to fail esp. in an examination or course
  2. to give a failing grade to
  3. to get a failing grade or result in
  4. an act or instance of flunking

flunk out -vi

  1. to be dismissed from a school or college for failure
  2. to dismiss from a school or college for failure

flun·ky ['fləŋ-kē] -n

  1. a liveried servant
  2. one performing menial or miscellaneous duties
  3. yes-man

flu·o·cin·o·lone ac·e·to·nide [,flü-ə-'si-nə-,lōn-,a-sə-'tō-,nīd] -n

  1. a glucocorticoid steroid C 24H 30F 2O 6used esp. as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of skin diseases

flu·or ['flü-,ȯr, 'flü-ər] -n

  1. fluorite

fluor- -comb form

  1. fluorine
    • fluor ide
  2. fluorescence
    • fluoro scope
    • fluori meter

fluo·resce [flu̇-'res, flȯ-] -vi, n

  1. to produce, undergo, or exhibit fluorescence

fluo·res·ce·in [-'re-sē-ən] -n

  1. a yellow or red crystalline dye C 20H 12O 5with a bright yellow-green fluorescence in alkaline solution

fluo·res·cence [-'re-sᵊn(t)s] -n

  1. luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed by nearly immediate reradiation usu. at a different wavelength and that ceases almost at once when the incident radiation stops
  2. the radiation emitted

fluo·res·cent [-sᵊnt] -adj, n, adv

  1. having or relating to fluorescence
  2. bright and glowing as a result of fluorescence
    • fluorescent inks
  3. very bright in color

fluorescent lamp -n

  1. a usu. tubular electric lamp having a coating of fluorescent material on its inner surface and containing mercury vapor whose bombardment by electrons from the cathode provides ultraviolet light which causes the material to emit visible light

fluo·ri·date ['flu̇r-ə-,dāt, 'flȯr-] -vt, n

  1. to add a fluoride to (as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay

fluo·ride ['flȯr-,īd, 'flu̇r-] -n

  1. a compound of fluorine
  2. the monovalent anion of fluorine

fluo·ri·nate ['flȯr-ə-,nāt, 'flu̇r-] -vt, n

  1. to treat or cause to combine with fluorine or a compound of fluorine

fluo·rine ['flu̇r-,ēn, 'flȯr-] -n

  1. a nonmetallic halogen element that is isolated as a pale yellowish flammable irritating toxic diatomic gas

fluo·rite ['flu̇r-,īt, 'flȯr-] -n

  1. a transparent or translucent mineral of different colors that consists of the fluoride of calcium and is used esp. as a steelmaking flux and in the making of opalescent and opaque glasses

fluo·ro·car·bon [,flu̇r-ō-'kär-bən, ,flȯr-] -n

  1. any of various chemically inert compounds containing carbon and fluorine used chiefly as lubricants, refrigerants, nonstick coatings, and formerly aerosol propellants and in making resins and plastics
  2. chlorofluorocarbon

fluo·ro·chrome ['flu̇r-ə-,krōm, ,flȯr-] -n

  1. any of various fluorescent substances used in biological staining to produce fluorescence in a specimen

fluo·rog·ra·phy [flu̇-'rä-grə-fē, flȯ-] -n, adj

  1. the photography of the image produced on a fluorescent screen by X rays

fluo·rom·e·ter [flu̇-'rä-mə-tər, flȯ-] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for measuring fluorescence and related phenomena (as intensity of radiation)

flu·o·ro·quin·o·lone [,flu̇r-ō-'kwi-nə-,lōn] -n

  1. any of a group of fluorinated derivatives of quinolone that are used as antibacterial drugs

fluo·ro·scope ['flu̇r-ə-,skōp, 'flȯr-] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument used for observing the internal structure of an opaque object (as the living body) by means of X-rays

fluoroscope -vt

  1. to examine by fluoroscopy

fluo·ro·sis [flu̇-'rō-səs, flȯ-] -n, adj

  1. an abnormal condition (as mottling of the teeth) caused by fluorine or its compounds

fluo·ro·ura·cil [,flu̇r-ō-'yu̇r-ə-,sil, -,səl, ,flȯr-] -n

  1. a fluorine-containing pyrimidine base C 4H 3FN 2O 2used as a neoplastic agent to treat some kinds of cancer

fluor·spar ['flu̇r-,spär, 'flȯr-] -n

  1. fluorite

flu·ox·e·tine [flü-'äk-sə-,tēn] -n

  1. an antidepressant drug C 17H 18F 3NO that is administered in the form of its hydrochloride and enhances serotonin activity

flu·phen·azine [flü-'fe-nə-,zēn] -n

  1. a tranquilizer C 22H 26F 3N 3OS used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride

flur·ry ['flər-ē, 'flə-rē] -n

  1. a gust of wind
  2. a brief light snowfall
  3. a brief period of commotion or excitement
  4. a sudden occurrence of many things at once : barrage
    • a flurry of insults
  5. a brief advance or decline in prices : a short-lived outburst of trading activity

flurry -vb

  1. to cause to become agitated and confused
  2. to move in an agitated or confused manner

flush ['fləsh] -vb

  1. to fly away suddenly
  2. to cause (as a bird) to flush
  3. to expose or chase from a place of concealment
    • flush ed the boys from their hiding place
  4. a hand of playing cards all of the same suit
  5. a poker hand containing five cards of the same suit but not in sequence
  6. a series of three or more slalom gates set vertically on a slope
  7. a sudden flow (as of water)
  8. a rinsing or cleansing with or as if with a flush of water
  9. a sudden increase or expansion
  10. sudden and usu. abundant new plant growth
    • the spring flush of grass
  11. a surge of emotion
    • felt a flush of anger at the insult
  12. a tinge of red : blush
  13. a fresh and vigorous state
    • in the first flush of womanhood
  14. a transitory sensation of extreme heat
  15. to flow and spread suddenly and freely
  16. to glow brightly
  17. blush
  18. to produce new growth
    • the plants flush twice during the year
  19. to cause to flow
  20. to pour liquid over or through
  21. to cleanse or wash out with or as if with a rush of liquid
    • flush the toilet
    • flush the lungs with air
  22. inflame, excite usu. used passively
    • flush ed with pride
  23. to cause to blush
  24. of a ruddy healthy color
  25. full of life and vigor : lusty
  26. filled to overflowing
  27. affluent
  28. readily available : abundant
  29. having or forming a continuous plane or unbroken surface
    • flush paneling
  30. : directly abutting or immediately adjacent: as
  31. set even with an edge of a type page or column : having no indention
  32. arranged edge to edge so as to fit snugly
  33. in a flush manner
  34. squarely
    • hit him flush on the chin
  35. to make flush
    • flush the headings on a page

flush·able ['flə-shə-bəl] -adj

  1. suitable for disposal by flushing down a toilet

flus·ter ['fləs-tər] -vb, adv

  1. to make tipsy
  2. to put into a state of agitated confusion : upset
  3. to move or behave in an agitated or confused manner

fluster -n

  1. a state of agitated confusion

flute ['flüt] -n, adj

  1. recorder
  2. a keyed woodwind instrument consisting of a cylindrical tube which is stopped at one end and which has a side hole over which air is blown to produce the tone and having a range from middle C upward for three octaves
  3. : something long and slender: as
  4. a tall slender wineglass
  5. a grooved pleat (as on a hat brim)
  6. a rounded groove
  7. one of the vertical parallel grooves on a classical architectural column
  8. to play a flute
  9. to produce a flutelike sound
  10. to utter with a flutelike sound
  11. to form flutes in

flut·ed -adj

  1. having or marked by grooves

fluting -n

  1. a series of flutes
    • the fluting of a column
  2. fluted material

flut·ist ['flü-tist] -n

  1. one who plays a flute

flut·ter ['flə-tər] -vb, n, adj

  1. to flap the wings rapidly
  2. to move with quick wavering or flapping motions
  3. to vibrate in irregular spasms
  4. to move about or behave in an agitated aimless manner
  5. to cause to flutter

flutter -n

  1. an act of fluttering
  2. a state of nervous confusion or excitement
  3. flurry, commotion
  4. abnormal spasmodic fluttering of a body part
    • treatment of atrial flutter
  5. a distortion in reproduced sound similar to but of a higher pitch than wow
  6. fluctuation in the brightness of a television image
  7. an unwanted oscillation (as of an aileron or a bridge) set up by natural forces
  8. a small speculative venture or gamble

flutter kick -n

  1. an alternating whipping motion of the legs used in various swimming styles (as the crawl)

flutter sleeve -n

  1. a loose-fitting tapered sleeve falling in folds over the upper arm

flu·vi·al ['flü-vē-əl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or living in a stream or river
  2. produced by the action of a stream
    • a fluvial plain

flu·vi·a·tile ['flü-vē-ə-,tī(-ə)l] -adj

  1. fluvial

flux ['fləks] -n

  1. : a flowing of fluid from the body: as
  2. diarrhea
  3. dysentery
  4. a continuous moving on or passing by (as of a stream)
  5. a continued flow : flood
  6. influx
  7. change, fluctuation
    • in a state of flux
  8. a substance used to promote fusion (as of metals or minerals)
  9. one (as rosin) applied to surfaces to be joined by soldering, brazing, or welding to clean and free them from oxide and promote their union
  10. the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy across a given surface
  11. to cause to become fluid
  12. to treat with a flux
  13. to become fluid : fuse

flux·gate ['fləks-,gāt] -n

  1. a device used to indicate the direction and intensity of the magnetic field (as on a planet)

flux·ion ['flək-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action of flowing or changing
  2. something subjected to such action
  3. derivative

fly ['flī] -vb

  1. to move in or pass through the air with wings
  2. to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space
  3. to float, wave, or soar in the air
    • flags fly ing at half-mast
  4. to take flight : flee
  5. to fade and disappear : vanish
  6. to move, pass, or spread quickly
    • rumors were fly ing
  7. to be moved with sudden extreme emotion
    • flew into a rage
  8. to seem to pass quickly
    • the time simply flew
  9. to become expended or dissipated rapidly
  10. to operate or travel in an airplane or spacecraft
  11. to work successfully : win popular acceptance
    • knew...a pure human-rights approach would not fly -- Charles Brydon
  12. to cause to fly, float, or hang in the air
    • fly ing a kite
  13. to operate (as a balloon, aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft) in flight
  14. to journey over or through by flying
  15. to flee or escape from
  16. avoid, shun
  17. to transport by aircraft or spacecraft
  18. the action or process of flying : flight
  19. a device consisting of two or more radial vanes capable of rotating on a spindle to act as a fan or to govern the speed of clockwork or very light machinery
  20. flywheel
  21. the space over a theater stage where scenery and equipment can be hung
  22. : something attached by one edge: as
  23. a garment closing concealed by a fold of cloth extending over the fastener
  24. the length of an extended flag from its staff or support
  25. the outer or loose end of a flag
  26. a baseball hit high into the air
  27. flyleaf
  28. a sheet of material (as canvas) that is attachable to a tent for use as a double top or as a rooflike extension
  29. a football pass pattern in which the receiver runs straight downfield
  30. to hit a fly in baseball
  31. a winged insect usu. used in combination
    • may flies
    • butter fly
  32. any of a large order (Diptera) of winged or rarely wingless insects (as the housefly, mosquito, or gnat) that have the anterior wings functional, the posterior wings reduced to halteres, and segmented often headless, eyeless, and legless larvae
  33. a large stout-bodied fly
  34. a fishhook dressed (as with feathers or tinsel) to suggest an insect
  35. keen, artful

fly·able ['flī-ə-bəl] -adj

  1. suitable for flying or for being flown

fly agaric -n

  1. a medium to large poisonous amanita mushroom ( Amanita muscaria) with a usu. bright red cap

fly ash -n

  1. fine solid particles of ashes, dust, and soot carried out from burning fuel (as coal or oil) by the draft

fly·away ['flī-ə-,wā] -adj

  1. loose and flowing esp. because of unconfined fullness at the back
    • a flyaway jacket
  2. of, relating to, or being an aircraft that is ready to fly
    • the plane's flyaway price

fly ball -n

  1. fly

fly·blow [-,blō] -n

  1. fly-strike

flyblow -vt

  1. taint, contaminate
  2. to deposit eggs or young larvae of a flesh fly or blowfly in

fly·blown ['flī-,blōn] -adj

  1. not pure : tainted
    • a world flyblown with the vices of irresponsible power -- V. L. Parrington
  2. not bright and new : seedy, moth-eaten
  3. trite, hackneyed
    • a long list of flyblown metaphors -- Horizon
  4. infested with eggs or young larvae of a flesh fly or blowfly
  5. covered with flyspecks

fly·boy ['flī-,bȯi] -n

  1. a member of the air force
  2. an aircraft pilot

fly·bridge ['flī-,brij] -n

  1. an open deck on a cabin cruiser located above the bridge on the cabin roof and usu. having a duplicate set of navigating equipment

fly·by ['flī-,bī] -n

  1. a prearranged usu. low-altitude flight by one or more airplanes over a public gathering (as an air show)
  2. a flight of a spacecraft past a celestial body (as Mars) close enough to obtain scientific data
  3. a spacecraft that makes a flyby

flybynight ['flī-bī-,nīt] -n

  1. one that seeks to evade responsibilities and esp. creditors by flight
  2. one without established reputation or standing
  3. a shaky business enterprise
  4. given to making a quick profit usu. by shady or irresponsible acts
  5. transitory, passing
    • flybynight fashions

flybynight·er [,flī-bī-'nī-tər] -n

  1. fly-by-night

flybywire ['flī-bī-,wī(-ə)r] -adj

  1. of, relating to, being, or utilizing a flight-control system in which controls are operated electrically rather than mechanically

fly casting -n

  1. the casting of artificial flies in fly-fishing or as a competitive sport

fly·catch·er ['flī-,ka-chər, -,ke-] -n

  1. any of various passerine birds (families Muscicapidae and Tyrannidae) that feed on insects taken on the wing

fly dope -n

  1. an insect repellent

flyer ['flī(-ə)r] -n

(variant of flier)

  1. one that flies
  2. airman
  3. a reckless or speculative venture usu. used in the phrase take a flier
  4. an advertising circular

fly fisherman -n

  1. an angler who uses the technique of fly-fishing

flyfish·ing ['flī-,fi-shiŋ] -n, vi

  1. a method of fishing in which an artificial fly is cast by use of a fly rod, a reel, and a relatively heavy oiled or treated line

fly front ['flī-,frənt] -n, adj

  1. a concealed closing on the front of a coat, skirt, shirt, dress, or pants

fly gallery -n

  1. a narrow raised platform at the side of a theater stage from which flying scenery lines are operated

flying -adj

  1. moving or capable of moving in the air
  2. moving or made by moving rapidly
    • flying feet
    • a flying leap
  3. very brief
  4. intended for ready movement or action
    • a flying squad car
  5. having stylized wings used esp. of livestock brand marks
  6. of or relating to the operation of aircraft
    • a flying club
  7. traversed or to be traversed (as in speed-record trials) after a running start
    • a flying kilometer
  8. travel by air
  9. the operation of an aircraft or spacecraft

flying boat -n

  1. a seaplane with a hull designed for floating

flying bomb -n

  1. buzz bomb

flying bridge -n

  1. the highest navigational bridge on a ship
  2. flybridge

flying buttress -n

  1. a masonry structure that typically consists of a straight inclined bar carried on an arch and a solid pier or buttress against which it abuts and that receives the thrust of a roof or vault

Flying Dutchman -n

  1. a legendary Dutch mariner condemned to sail the seas until Judgment Day
  2. a spectral ship that according to legend haunts the seas near the Cape of Good Hope

flying fish -n

  1. any of numerous bony fishes (family Exocoetidae) chiefly of tropical and warm seas that are capable of long gliding flights out of water by spreading their large pectoral fins like wings

flying fox -n

  1. fruit bat

flying gurnard -n

  1. any of several marine fishes (family Dactylopteridae) that resemble gurnards and have large pectoral fins allowing them to glide above the water for short distances

flying jib -n

  1. a sail outside the jib on an extension of the jibboom

flying lemur -n

  1. either of two East Indian or Philippine arboreal nocturnal mammals ( Cynocephalus volansand C. variegatus) that are about the size of a cat, that make long gliding leaps using a broad fold of skin on each side attached to and extending between the limbs, and that are placed in a separate order (Dermoptera)

flying machine -n

  1. an apparatus for navigating the air

flying mare -n

  1. a wrestling maneuver in which an opponent is seized by the wrist and thrown to the ground by being pulled over the back of the aggressor

flying officer -n

  1. a commissioned officer in the British air force who ranks with a first lieutenant in the army

flying saucer -n

  1. any of various unidentified flying objects usu. described as being saucer-shaped or disk-shaped

flying spot -n

  1. a spot of light moved over a surface (as one bearing printing or an image) so that light reflected from or transmitted by different parts of the surface is translated into electrical signals for transmission (as in television or computers)

flying squad -n

  1. a usu. small standby group of people ready to move or act swiftly
  2. a police unit formed to respond quickly in an emergency

flying squirrel -n

  1. either of two small nocturnal No. American squirrels ( Glaucomys volansand G. sabrinus) with folds of skin connecting the forelegs and hind legs that enable it to make long gliding leaps
  2. any of various squirrels that possess a patagium

flying start -n

  1. a start in racing in which the participants are already moving when they cross the starting line or receive the starting signal
  2. a favorable start of something

flying wedge -n

  1. a moving formation (as of guards or police) resembling a wedge

fly·leaf ['flī-,lēf] -n

  1. one of the free endpapers of a book

fly·man [-mən, -,man] -n

  1. a worker in the flies of a theater who manipulates curtains and scenery

fly net -n

  1. a net to exclude or keep off insects (as from a harness horse)

flyonthewall -adj

  1. having or involving an inconspicuous but effective point of observation
    • flyonthewall observations of aspects of daily life -- Will Manley

fly·over ['flī-,ō-vər] -n

  1. overpass
  2. flyby

fly·pa·per [-,pā-pər] -n

  1. paper coated with a sticky often poisonous substance for killing flies

fly·past [-,past] -n

  1. flyby

fly rod ['flī-,rä-dər] -n

  1. a light springy fishing rod used in fly casting

flysch ['flish] -n

  1. a thick and extensive deposit largely of sandstone that is formed in a geosyncline adjacent to a rising mountain belt and is esp. common in the Alpine region of Europe

fly sheet -n

  1. a small loose advertising sheet : handbill
  2. a sheet of a folder, booklet, or catalog giving directions for the use of or information about the material that follows

fly·speck ['flī-,spek] -n, vt

  1. a speck made by fly excrement
  2. something small and insignificant

flystrike [-,strīk] -n, adj

  1. infestation with fly maggots

fly·swat·ter [-,swä-tər] -n

  1. a device for killing insects that consists of a flat piece of perforated rubber or plastic or fine-mesh wire netting attached to a handle

fly·ti·er ['flī-,tī(-ə)r] -n

  1. a person who makes flies for fishing

flyt·ing ['flī-tiŋ] -n

  1. a dispute or exchange of personal abuse in verse form

fly·way ['flī-,wā] -n

  1. an established air route of migratory birds

fly·weight [-,wāt] -n

  1. a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 112 pounds

fly·wheel [-,hwēl, -,wēl] -n

  1. a heavy wheel for opposing and moderating by its inertia any fluctuation of speed in the machinery with which it revolves
  2. a similar wheel used for storing kinetic energy (as for motive power)

fly whisk -n

  1. a whisk for brushing away flies