Lexic.us

Definition of Flail

1. Noun. An implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing.

2. Verb. Give a thrashing to; beat hard. "They want to flail the prisoners "

3. Verb. Move like a flail; thresh about. ; "Her arms were flailing"

Definition of Flail

1. n. An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a swipe, is so hung as to swing freely.

Definition of Flail

1. Noun. A tool used for threshing, consisting of a long handle with a shorter stick attached with a short piece of chain, thong or similar material. ¹

2. Noun. A weapon which has the (usually spherical) striking part attached to the handle with a flexible joint such as a chain. ¹

3. Verb. To beat using a flail or similar implement. ¹

4. Verb. To wave or swing vigorously ¹

5. Verb. To thresh. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Flail

1. to swing freely [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Flail

1. 1. An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a swipe, is so hung as to swing freely. "His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn." (Milton) 2. An ancient military weapon, like the common flail, often having the striking part armed with rows of spikes, or loaded. "No citizen thought himself safe unless he carried under his coat a small flail, loaded with lead, to brain the Popish assassins." (Macaulay) Origin: L. Flagellum whip, scourge, in LL, a threshing flail: cf. OF. Flael, flaiel, F. Fleau. See Flagellum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Flail

flagship flagships flagstaff flagstaffite flagstaffs flagstaves flagstick flagsticks flagstone flagstoned

flagstones flagtail flagtails flagworm flagworms flail (current term) flail about flail chest flail joint flailed

flailing flailingly flailings flails flaily flain flair flair bartender flair bartenders flair bartending

Literary usage of Flail

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Harper's New Monthly Magazine by Henry Mills Alden (1874)
"The bare-throated, brown young fanner, As he swings the sounding flail Ч All the hopes that saw the sowing, All the sweet desire of gain, All the joy that ..."

2. Dissertations on the prophecies, which have remarkably been fulfilled, and by Thomas Newton (1766)
"In that day flail there be tin altar to the Lord in the ... in the land of Egypt: for they flail cry unto the Lord ..."

3. The Statutes at Large: From Magna Charta to ... 1869 by Great Britain (1765)
"... flail be taken as prize, none of tbe officers, «flor ill ufmg ... or ivbo, upon likelihood of engagement, flail not make ing the men ..."

4. A Commentary on the Five Books of Moses: With a Dissertation Concerning the by Richard Kidder (1694)
"And five of yon flail ... and your enemies flail fall before you by ibe ... And ye- flail eat old ..."

5. The Statutes at Large from the Magna Charta, to the End of the Eleventh by Great Britain (1765)
"... of twenty two years and three quarters of a year, reckoned front mainder of that term which flail be to come and unexpired at the quar- ..."

6. The Annual Register edited by Edmund Burke (1800)
"There flail even be granted every degree of preference for the ... flail be imported, free of duty, into the hiatus of his royal ..."

7. On the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish by Eugene O'Curry (1873)
"Tlie Suwi, or Iron flail chiefs, we can only infer what that of the troops ... The Suist, flail, or " Holy Water Sprinkler", though not used by the Irish, ..."

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