Flathead (flæt´hed') pl. -heads' •n.or -head' any of various North American Indian peoples believed to have practiced head flattening; esp. a Salish people of NW Montana

-flation (flei´shэn) combining form inflation: used in many nonce compounds {oilflation, medflation}

flatiron (flæt´ai'эrn) •n. an iron for pressing clothes

flatling (flæt´liŋ) •adv. [Now Brit. Dial.] 1 at full length 2 with the flat side, as of a sword Also flat´lings or flat´long' (-löŋ') [ME: see FLAT¹ & -LING²]

flat-out (-aut´) •adj. [Colloq.] 1 at full speed, with maximum effort, etc. 2 absolute; thorough; definite

flatten (flæt´ªn) •vt. 1 to make flat or flatter 2 [Colloq.] to knock down; make prostrate 3 to level to the ground •vi. 1 to become flat or flatter 2 to become prostrate flatten out 1 to make or become flat or flatter by spreading out 2 Aeron. LEVEL OFF (sense 2) (at LEVEL) flat´ten·er •n.

flatter¹ (flæt´эr) •vt. 1 to praise too much, untruly, or insincerely, as in order to win favor 2 to try to please, or ingratiate oneself with, by praise and attention 3 to make seem better or more attractive than is so {his portrait flatters him} 4 to make feel pleased or honored; gratify the vanity of {it's flattering to be remembered} 5 to please or gratify (the eye, ear, senses, etc.) 6 to encourage, esp. falsely •vi. to use flattery flatter oneself to hold the self-satisfying or self-deluding belief (that) flat´ter·er •n. flat´ter·ing·ly •adv. [ME flateren < OFr flater, to smooth, caress with flat hand < Frank *flat, akin to OHG flaz, FLAT¹]

flatter² (flæt´эr) •n. 1 a person who flattens something 2 a drawplate for forming flat strips 3 a smith's forging tool with a broad, flat face

flattery (flæt´эr i:) pl. -ter·ies •n. 1 the act of flattering 2 excessive, untrue, or insincere praise; exaggerated compliment or attention; blandishment [ME & OFr flaterie (Fr flatterie) < flater: see FLATTER¹]

flattish (flæt´ish) •adj. somewhat flat

flattop (flæt´täp') •n. [Slang] something having a flat or level surface, platform, etc.; specif., a) an aircraft carrier b) a style of man's haircut in which the hair on top of the head is cropped so that it bristles up to form a flat surface

flatulent (flæch´э lэnt) •adj. 1 of or having gas in the stomach or intestines 2 producing gas in the stomach or intestines, as certain foods 3 windy or empty in speech; pompous; pretentious flat´u·lence or flat´u·len·cy •n. flat´u·lent·ly •adv. [Fr < ModL flatulentus < L flatus: see FLATUS]

flatus (fleit´эs) •n. gas in, or expelled from, the stomach or intestines [L < flare, to blow: see BLAST]

flatware (flæt´wer') •n. relatively flat tableware; specif., Æ a) knives, forks, spoons, etc. Æ b) flat plates, platters, etc.: cf. HOLLOWARE

flatwise (flæt´waiz') •adv. with the flat side foremost, uppermost, or in contact Also flat´ways' (-weiz')

flatwork (-wørk') •n. laundered articles, as sheets, napkins, and other flat pieces, that can be pressed quickly in a mangle

flatworm (-wørm') •n. PLATYHELMINTH

Flaubert (flou beř´), Gus·tave (güs tåv´) 1821-80; Fr. novelist

flaunt (flönt) •vi. 1 to make a gaudy, ostentatious, conspicuous, impudent, or defiant display 2 to flutter or wave freely •vt. 1 to show off proudly, defiantly, or impudently {to flaunt one's guilt} 2 FLOUT: usage objected to by many •n. [Archaic] the act of flaunting SYN. SHOW flaunt´ing·ly •adv. [15th & 16th c., prob. < dial. flant, to strut coquettishly, akin to Norw flanta < ON flana, run back and forth < IE *plano- < base *pla-, broad, flat, spread out > Gr planos, wandering]

flaunty (-i:) •adj. [Rare] flaunting; showy

flautist (flöt´ist, flaut´-) •n. var. of FLUTIST [It flautista < flauto, FLUTE]

flavanone (flei´vэ noun') •n. 1 a complex, colorless, crystalline ketone, C15H12O2, derived from flavone 2 any of the derivatives of flavanone, many of which are found in various plants [fol. + -AN(E) + -ONE]

flavin (flei´vin) •n. 1 a complex heterocyclic ketone, C10H6N4O2 2 any of a group of yellow pigments, derived from this ketone and occurring in certain plant and animal products or prepared by synthesis; specif., riboflavin 3 QUERCETIN [< L flavus, yellow (see FLAVONE) + -IN¹]

flavine (flei´vi:n') •n. 1 FLAVIN 2 ACRIFLAVINE

flavone (flei´voun') •n. 1 a colorless crystalline ketone, C15H10O2, obtained from certain plants or prepared synthetically: it forms a base for some yellow dyes 2 any derivative of this compound [Ger flavon < L flavus, yellow (< IE base *bhlē-wos, used of light colors > BLUE) + Ger -on, -ONE]

flavonol (flei´vэ nöl', -noul') •n. 1 a yellow, crystalline hydroxy derivative of flavone, C15H10O3: also fla´va·nol 2 any of various derivatives of flavonol, used as yellow pigments and dyes and frequently found in plants [< prec. + -OL¹]

flavoprotein (flei'vou prou´ti:n') •n. any of a group of enzymes, involved in tissue respiration, consisting of a protein and a flavin group

flavopurpurin (-pør´pэ rin) •n. a yellowish, crystalline chemical compound, C14H8O5, used in making dyes [< L flavus, yellow (see FLAVONE) + PURPURIN]

flavor (flei´vэr) •n. 1 [Archaic] an odor; smell; aroma 2 a) that quality of a substance that is a mixing of its characteristic taste and smell b) taste in general {a soup lacking flavor} 3 any substance added to a food, medicine, etc. to give it a particular taste; flavoring 4 the characteristic quality of something; distinctive nature {the flavor of the city} 5 any of the six basic types of quarks or leptons: the names up, down, strange, charmed, top, and bottom are used by physicists to distinguish the six types •vt. to give flavor to fla´vor·less •adj. [ME flavour, an odor, altered (by analogy with savour, SAVOR) < OFr flaur < VL *flator, odor < L flatare, to blow, freq. of flare, blow (see BLAST), prob. infl. by foetor, foul odor]

flavorful (-fэl) •adj. full of flavor; having a pleasant flavor Also fla´vor·some (-sэm), fla´vor·ous (-эs), or fla´vor·y (-i:) fla´vor·ful·ly •adv.

flavoring (-iŋ) •n. an essence, extract, etc. added to a food or drink to give it a certain taste

flavour (flei´vэr) •n., vt. Brit. sp. of FLAVOR

flaw¹ (flö) •n. 1 a break, scratch, crack, etc. that spoils something; blemish {a flaw in a diamond} 2 a defect; fault; error {a flaw in a legal document, in one's reasoning, etc.} •vt., vi. to make or become faulty SYN. DEFECT flaw´less •adj. flaw´less·ly •adv. flaw´less·ness •n. [ME, a flake, scale, splinter, prob. < or akin to ON flaga, thin layer: for IE base see FLAKE¹]

flaw² (flö) •n. a sudden, brief gust of wind, often with rain or snow; squall [< or akin to ON flaga, sudden onset < IE base *plāk-, *plāg-, to strike, beat > FLICKER¹, L plangere, to beat (the breast)]

flax (flæks) •adj. designating a family (Linaceae, order Linales) of dicotyledonous plants and shrubs usually having narrow leaves and five-part flowers •n. 1 any of a genus (Linum) of the flax family; esp. a slender, erect annual plant (L. usitatissimum) with delicate, blue flowers: the seeds are used to make linseed oil, and the fibers of the stem are spun into linen thread 2 the threadlike fibers of these plants, ready for spinning 3 any of a number of flaxlike plants [ME < OE fleax, akin to Ger flachs < IE base *plek-, to plait, interweave > L plectere, plicare, Ger flechten]

flaxen (flæk´sэn) •adj. 1 of or made of flax 2 like flax in color; pale-yellow; straw-colored [ME < OE fleaxen]

flaxseed (flæk´si:d', flæks´si:d') •n. the seed of the flax; linseed

flaxy (flæk´si:) •adj. like flax; flaxen

flay (flei) •vt. 1 to strip off the skin or hide of, as by whipping 2 to criticize or scold mercilessly 3 to rob; pillage; fleece [ME flan < OE flean, akin to MDu vlaen, ON fla < IE base *plē-, to tear off > FLITCH]

fldxt fluid extract [L fluid extractum]

flea (fli:) •n. 1 any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small, flattened, wingless insects with large legs adapted for jumping: as adults they are bloodsucking parasites on mammals and birds 2 FLEA BEETLE flea in one's ear a stinging rebuke or rebuff, or an annoying hint [ME fle < OE fleah, akin to Ger floh < same Gmc base as FLEE]

flea beetle any of a number of small jumping beetles (family Chrysomelidae) that feed chiefly on leaves and shoots of plants

flea circus a number of fleas trained to perform tricks, as for a carnival sideshow

flea market a bazaar, usually outdoors, dealing mainly in cheap, secondhand goods

fleabag (-bæg') •n. Æ [Slang] a very cheap, dirty hotel

fleabane (-bein') •n. ERIGERON [FLEA + BANE: once thought to drive away fleas]

fleabite (-bait') •n. 1 the bite of a flea 2 the red spot on the skin caused by the bite of a flea 3 a minor pain or trifling inconvenience

flea-bitten (-bit'ªn) •adj. 1 bitten by a flea or fleas 2 infested with fleas 3 wretched; decrepit; shabby 4 light-colored with reddish-brown spots: said of horses

fleahopper (-häp'эr) •n. any of several small jumping hemipterous bugs (family Miridae), many of which damage cotton and other cultivated plants

fleam (fli:m) •n. a sharp lancet formerly used for bloodletting [ME fleme < OFr flieme < VL *fleutomum for LL phlebotomus: see PHLEBOTOMY]

fleapit (fli:´pit') •n. [Colloq.] a public place, esp. a hotel or theater, that is cheap, run-down, inferior, etc.

fleawort (fli:´wørt') •n. 1 any of several plants that supposedly ward off fleas, as a European aromatic plant (Inula conyza) of the composite family with rough leaves and yellow flowers 2 a European plantain (Plantago psyllium) whose seeds, which more or less resemble fleas, are used as a laxative

flèche (flesh, fleish) •n. a slender spire, esp. one over the intersection of the nave and the transept in some Gothic churches [Fr, lit., an arrow < OFr fleche < MDu vleke, an arrow, akin to OE flacor, flying (of arrows): for IE base see FLAW²]

fleck (flek) •n. 1 a spot or small patch of color, etc.; speck {flecks of sunlight} 2 a small piece; particle; flake •vt. to cover or sprinkle with flecks; speckle [ME *flekken (found only in pp. flekked), prob. < ON flekka < flekkr] [ON flekkr, akin to MDu vlecke, Ger fleck < IE *plī-, var. of base *plē-: see FLAY]

flection (flek´shэn) •n. 1 a bending; flexing 2 a bend or bent part 3 Anat. FLEXION 4 Gram. inflection [L flexio < pp. of flectere, to bend]

fled (fled) •vi., vt. pt. & pp. of FLEE

fledge (flej) fledged, fledg´ing •vi. to grow the feathers necessary for flying •vt. 1 to rear (a young bird) until it is able to fly 2 to supply or adorn with or as if with feathers or down; specif., to fit (an arrow, etc.) with feathers [< ME flegge, ready to fly < OE (un)flycge, (un)fledged, akin to MHG vlücke, MDu vlugghe: for IE base see FLY¹]

fledgling (flej´liŋ) •n. 1 a young bird just fledged 2 a young, inexperienced person Also [Chiefly Brit.] fledge´ling

flee (fli:) fled, flee´ing •vi. 1 to run away or escape from danger, pursuit, unpleasantness, etc. 2 to pass away swiftly; vanish {night had fled} 3 to move rapidly; go swiftly •vt. to run away or try to escape from; avoid; shun fle·er (fli:´эr) •n. [ME fleen < OE fleon: see FLOW]

fleece (fli:s) •n. 1 the wool covering a sheep or similar animal 2 the amount of wool cut from a sheep in one shearing 3 a covering like a sheep's, as of woolly hair 4 a soft, warm, napped fabric, used for linings, etc. •vt. fleeced, fleec´ing 1 to shear the fleece from (sheep, etc.) 2 to steal from by fraud; swindle 3 to cover or fleck with fleecy masses fleec´er •n. [ME flees < OE fleos, akin to Ger vlies < IE base *pleus-, to pluck out > L pluma, a feather, down]

fleecy (fli:s´i:) fleec´i·er, fleec´i·est •adj. 1 made of or covered with fleece 2 like fleece; soft and light {fleecy snow} fleec´i·ly •adv. fleec´i·ness •n.

fleer (flir) •vi., vt. to laugh derisively (at); sneer or jeer (at) •n. a derisive grimace, laugh, etc.; gibe fleer´ing·ly •adv. [ME flerien, prob. < Scand, as in Dan dial., Norw flire, to snicker, laugh, prob. < IE base *plēi-, bald, bare]

fleet admiral U.S. Navy an officer of the highest rank, a specially conferred one above that of admiral: the rank, created during World War II, has not been conferred since

Fleet Street 1 old street in central London, where several newspaper & printing offices are located 2 the London press [after the Fleet (see FLEET³), which crosses beneath it]

fleet¹ (fli:t) •n. 1 a) a number of warships under one command, usually in a definite area of operation b) the entire naval force of a country; navy 2 any group of ships, trucks, buses, airplanes, etc. acting together or under one control [ME flete < OE fleot < fleotan, to float: see FLEET2]

fleet² (fli:t) •vi. 1 orig., to float; swim 2 to move swiftly; flit; fly 3 [Archaic] to pass away swiftly; disappear •vt. 1 [Rare] to pass away (time) 2 Naut. to change the position of (a rope, pulley block, etc.) •adj. 1 swift; rapid 2 [Old Poet.] evanescent SYN. FAST¹ fleet´ly •adv. fleet´ness •n. [ME fleten < OE fleotan, akin to Ger fliessen < IE *pleud- < base *pleu-, FLOW]

fleet³ (fli:t) •n. [Now Brit. Dial.] a small inlet; creek the Fleet 1 a former small creek in London, now a covered sewer 2 a debtor's prison which stood near this creek: also Fleet Prison [ME flete < OE fleot, akin to Du vliet: base as in prec.]

fleeting (fli:t´iŋ) •adj. passing swiftly; not lasting SYN. TRANSIENT fleet´ing·ly •adv. fleet´ing·ness •n. [OE fleotende, floating: see FLEET²]

Fleming (flem´iŋ) 1 Sir Alexander 1881-1955; Brit. bacteriologist: discovered penicillin together with Sir Howard Walter Florey 2 Ian (Lancaster) 1908-64; Brit. writer Fleming (flem´iŋ) •n. 1 a native of Flanders 2 a Belgian who speaks Flemish [ME < OFris or MDu Vlaming]

Flemish (flem´ish) •n. the West Germanic language of the Flemings, very closely related to Dutch •adj. designating or of Flanders, the Flemings, or their language or culture the Flemish the people of Flanders

flense (flens) flensed, flens´ing •vt. to cut blubber skin from (a whale, seal, etc.) Also flench (flench) [< Du vlensen or Dan flense]

flesh (flesh) •n. 1 a) the soft substance of the body (of a person or animal) between the skin and the bones; esp., the muscular tissue b) the surface or skin of the body {to feel one's flesh crawl} 2 the flesh of any animal as food; meat; esp., meat other than fish or fowl 3 the pulpy or edible part of fruits and vegetables 4 the human body, as distinguished from the soul {more than flesh can bear} 5 human nature, esp. in its sensual aspect 6 all living beings, esp. all humankind 7 kindred or relatives: now mainly in one's (own) flesh and blood, one's close relatives 8 the typical color of a white person's skin; yellowish pink 9 [Colloq.] plumpness; fat {you've been putting on flesh} •vt. 1 to feed (animals) with flesh so as to incite them to hunt or kill 2 to prepare for or incite to bloodshed, etc. by a foretaste 3 to harden; inure 4 to plunge (a weapon) into flesh 5 to put flesh on; fatten 6 to fill out as if with flesh; realize or make full, as by the addition of details: usually with out 7 to remove flesh from (a hide) •vi. to grow fleshy or fat: usually with out or up flesh and blood the human body, esp. as subject to its natural limitations in the flesh 1 alive 2 actually present; in person Æ press the flesh [Colloq.] to shake hands or embrace, mingle, etc. effusively in crowds, esp. in politicking [ME < OE flæsc, akin to Ger fleisch < ? IE base *plēk-, to tear off > FLAY]

flesh fly any of a family (Sarcophagidae) of dipterous flies that deposit their maggots on flesh, carrion, dung, etc.

flesh meat the meat of birds or of animals other than fish, clams, etc., used as food

flesh wound a wound that does not reach the bones or vital organs

flesh-colored (flesh´kûl'эrd) •adj. having the typical color of a person's skin, esp. a white person's skin

flesh-eating (-i:t'iŋ) •adj. habitually eating flesh; carnivorous

fleshings (flesh´iŋz') •n.pl. 1 flesh-colored tights, worn by acrobats, etc. 2 pieces of flesh scraped from hides

fleshly (flesh´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 of the body and its nature; corporeal 2 fond of bodily pleasures; sensual 3 [Obs.] FLESHY SYN. CARNAL flesh´li·ness •n. [ME fleschlich < OE flæsclic: see FLESH & -LY¹]

fleshpot (flesh´pät') •n. 1 [pl.] bodily comfort and pleasure; luxury 2 a place where carnal pleasures are provided: usually used in pl. [after Ex. 16:3]

fleshy (flesh´i:) flesh´i·er, flesh´i·est •adj. 1 having much flesh; fat; plump 2 of or like flesh 3 having a firm pulp, as some fruits flesh´i·ness •n.

fletch (flech) •vt. to fit a feather on (an arrow) [altered (after fol.) < FLEDGE]

fletcher (flech´эr) •n. [Archaic] a person who makes arrows [ME < OFr flechier < fleche, an arrow < Frank *fliugika, akin to MDu vlieke < base of vlegen, FLY¹] Fletcher (flech´эr), John 1579-1625; Eng. playwright: collaborated with Francis Beaumont

fleur-de-lis (flør'dэ li:´, or, -li:s´) pl. fleurs-de-lis (flør'dэ li:´, -li:z´, or, -li:s´) •n. 1 IRIS (senses 4 & 5) 2 the coat of arms of the former French royal family 3 Heraldry an emblem resembling a lily or iris Also sp. fleur-de-lys [altered, after Fr fleur < ME flour de lyce < OFr flor de lis, lit., flower of the lily]

Fleury (flë ři:´) 1 An·dré Her·cule de (äñ dřei eř kül´ dэ) 1653-l743; Fr. cardinal & statesman: prime minister (1726-43) under Louis XV 2 Claude 1640-1723; Fr. ecclesiastical historian

Flevoland (fli:´vou lænd') province of the WC Netherlands, on the IJsselmeer: 1,420 sq. mi. (549 sq. km); pop. 177,000

flew (flu:) •vi., vt. pt. of FLY¹

flews (flu:z) •n.pl. the loose, hanging parts of the upper lip of a hound or other dog: see DOG, illus. [< ?]

flex¹ (fleks) •vt., vi. 1 to bend (an arm, knee, etc.) 2 to tense (a muscle) by contraction [< L flexus, pp. of flectere, to bend, curve]

flex² (fleks) •n. [Brit.] flexible, insulated electric cord [< fol.]

flexible (flek´sэ bэl) •adj. 1 able to bend without breaking; not stiff or rigid; easily bent; pliant 2 easily persuaded or influenced; tractable 3 adjustable to change; capable of modification {a flexible voice} SYN. ELASTIC flex'i·bil´i·ty •n. flex´i·bly •adv. [ME < OFr < L flexibilis < flexus: see FLEX¹]

flexile (fleks´il) •adj. flexible; pliant; mobile [L flexilis]

flexion (flek´shэn) •n. 1 FLECTION 2 Anat. the bending of a joint or limb by contraction of flexor muscles

flexor (fleks´эr, -ör') •n. a muscle that bends a limb or other part of the body [ModL < L flexus: see FLEX¹]

flextime (fleks´taim') •n. a system allowing individual employees some flexibility in choosing the time, but not the number, of their working hours: also flex´i·time' (-i taim') [FLEXIBLE + TIME]

flexuous (fleks´yu: эs, flek´shu:-) •adj. winding or wavering flex´u·ous·ly •adv. [L flexuosus < flexus: see FLEX¹]

flexure (flek´shэr) •n. 1 a bending, curving, or flexing, as of a heavy object under its own weight 2 a bend, curve, or fold flex´ur·al •adj. [L flexura]

flibbertigibbet (flib´эr ti jib'it, -ti:-) •n. an irresponsible, flighty person [extended < ME flypergebet < ?]

flic (fli:k) •n. [Colloq.] a policeman [Fr]

flick¹ (flik) •n. 1 a light, quick stroke, as with a whip; sudden, jerky movement; snap 2 a light, snapping sound, as of the flick of a whip 3 a fleck; splotch; streak •vt. 1 to strike, throw, remove, etc. with a light, quick, snapping stroke, as with the fingernail 2 to make a light, quick, snapping stroke with (a whip, etc.) •vi. to move quickly and jerkily; flutter [echoic, but infl. by FLICKER¹]

flick² (flik) •n. [Slang] a movie the flicks [Slang] 1 movies collectively 2 a showing of a movie Etymology [< fol.]

flicker¹ (flik´эr) •vi. 1 to flap the wings rapidly, as in hovering; flutter: said of a bird 2 to move with a quick, light, wavering motion 3 to burn or shine unsteadily, as a candle in the wind 4 to project an image with FLICKER¹ (n. 4) •vt. to cause to flicker or waver •n. 1 an act or instance of flickering 2 a dart of flame or light, as in a flickering fire 3 a look or feeling that comes and goes quickly {a flicker of fear crossed his face} 4 any of various visual effects, as a fluctuation in brightness on a video screen or in the clarity of the image being projected on a movie screen SYN. BLAZE¹ flick´er·y •adj. [ME flikeren < OE flicorian, akin to flacor, flying, ON flokta, to flutter: for IE base see FLAW²]

flicker² (flik´эr) •n. any of several North American woodpeckers (genus Colaptes), esp., one (C. auratus) with a red, crescent-shaped mark on the back of the head, and wings colored golden on the underside [echoic of its cry]

flick-knife (-naif') •n. [Brit.] SWITCHBLADE (KNIFE)

flied (flaid) pt. & pp. of FLY¹ (vi. 9) •vi.

flier (flai´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that flies; specif., an aviator Æ 2 a bus, train, etc. that has a fast schedule 3 any step in a straight stairway Æ 4 a small handbill widely distributed Æ 5 [Colloq.] a reckless gamble or speculation, as in the stock market Also, esp. for 1, 2, & 5, fly´er

flight attendant an attendant on an airplane, employed to look after the passengers' comfort and safety

flight bag 1 a lightweight, compact, flexible piece of luggage with outside pockets, designed to fit beneath or above a passenger seat on an airliner 2 a small bag with a zipper top for carrying incidentals

flight control 1 the control from the ground, as by radio, of aircraft in flight 2 a station exercising such control

flight crew AIRCREW

flight deck 1 the upper deck of an aircraft carrier, that serves as a runway 2 the front compartment of some airplanes, for the crew

flight engineer Aeron. a crew member who is in charge of mechanical operation during flight

flight feather any of the large feathers of the wings or tail that support a bird in flight

flight line the portion of an airfield where planes are parked and serviced

flight shooting Archery the sport of distance shooting, using a bow (flight bow) and arrow (flight arrow) designed for maximum distance rather than maximum accuracy

flight strip an emergency runway; airstrip

flight surgeon a military medical officer specializing in aviation medicine

flight¹ (flait) •n. 1 the act, manner, or power of flying or moving through space 2 the distance covered or that can be covered at one time by an airplane, bird, projectile, etc. 3 a group of things flying through the air together {a flight of birds, arrows, etc.} 4 a) a military flight formation b) the smallest tactical unit in an air force; specif., in the U.S. Air Force, a subdivision of a squadron 5 an airplane scheduled to fly a certain route at a certain time 6 a trip by airplane or spacecraft 7 an outburst or soaring above the ordinary {a flight of fancy} 8 a set of stairs, as between landings or floors 9 a flight arrow: see FLIGHT SHOOTING 10 Sports a division of contestants grouped according to ability •vi. to fly in numbers: said of birds SYN. GROUP take flight to take wing, take off, etc.; become airborne and fly [ME fliht < OE flyht (akin to OS fluht, Du vlucht) < base of fleogan, FLY¹]

flight² (flait) •n. a fleeing from or as from danger put to flight to force to flee take (to) flight to run away; flee [ME fliht, fluht < OE flyht < base of fleon, FLEE]

flightless (flait´lis) •adj. not able to fly

flight-test (flait´test') •vt. to put (an aircraft, rocket, etc.) through an actual test (flight test) of flight performance

flighty (flait´i:) flight´i·er, flight´i·est •adj. 1 given to sudden whims; not taking things seriously; frivolous or irresponsible 2 easily excited, upset, etc. flight´i·ly •adv. flight´i·ness •n. [FLIGHT¹ + -Y²]

flimflam (flim´flæm') •n. 1 nonsense; rubbish; humbug 2 a sly trick or deception •vt. -flammed', -flam'ming [Colloq.] to trick, swindle, or cheat flim´flam'mer·y •n. [? redupl. < flam, deceptive trick]

flimsy (flim´zi:) -si·er, -si·est •adj. 1 thin and easily broken or damaged; poorly made and fragile; frail 2 ill-conceived and inadequate; ineffectual {a flimsy excuse} •n. pl. -sies [Chiefly Brit.] 1 a sheet of thin paper, as used for carbon copies 2 written or typed copy on such paper flim´si·ly •adv. flim´si·ness •n. [< ?]

flinch (flinch) •vi. 1 to draw back, as from a blow, difficulty, etc. 2 to wince, as from pain •n. an act of flinching [earlier also flench < OFr flenchir, to bend aside < Frank *hlankjan, akin to Ger lenken, OE hlencan, to twist, bend: see LANK]

flinders (flin´dэrz) •n.pl. splinters or fragments: chiefly in break (or fly) into flinders [ME (northern) flender < Scand, as in Norw flindra, splinter < IE base (s)plei-, to split > SPLIT, SPLINT, FLINT]

fling (fliŋ) flung, fling´ing •vt. 1 to throw, esp. with force or violence; hurl; cast 2 to put abruptly or violently {to be flung into confusion} 3 to move (one's arms, legs, head, etc.) suddenly or impulsively 4 to throw (oneself) energetically (into a task) 5 to throw aside; disregard {to fling caution to the winds} 6 [Old Poet.] to emit or diffuse •vi. 1 to move suddenly and violently; rush; dash 2 to kick and plunge, as a horse does: often with out •n. 1 an act of flinging 2 a brief time of unrestrained pleasures or dissipation 3 a spirited dance {the Highland fling} 4 [Colloq.] a trial effort; try {to have a fling at acting} 5 [Colloq.] a brief love affair SYN. THROW fling´er •n. [ME flingen, to rush < ON flengja, to whip (Norw dial., to throw) < IE base *plāk-: see FLAW²]

Flint (flint) city in SE Mich.: pop. 141,000 (met. area 430,000) [after the nearby Flint River, so called from the flint stones in it] flint (flint) •n. 1 a fine-grained, very hard, siliceous rock, usually gray, that produces sparks when struck with steel and that breaks into pieces with sharp cutting edges 2 a piece of this stone, used to start a fire, for primitive tools, etc. 3 a small piece of metal consisting of iron and misch metal, used to strike the spark in a cigarette lighter 4 anything extremely hard or firm like flint [ME < OE, akin to Norw, stone splinter: see FLINDERS]

flint corn a variety of corn (Zea mays var. indurata) with very hard kernels not dented at the tip

flint glass a hard, bright glass containing lead oxide and having a high index of refraction, used for lenses, crystal, etc.

flintlock (-läk') •n. 1 a gunlock in which a flint in the hammer strikes a metal plate to produce a spark that ignites the powder 2 an old-fashioned gun with such a lock

Flintshire (flint´shir) former county of NE Wales, now part of Clwyd county

flinty (flin´ti:) flint´i·er, flint´i·est •adj. 1 made of or containing flint 2 like flint; extremely hard and firm; inflexible {a flinty heart} flint´i·ly •adv. flint´i·ness •n.

flip chart a series of large paper sheets containing charts, information, etc., fastened loosely to allow them to be turned over, and held by a frame for display, as to illustrate a lecture

flip side [Colloq.] the reverse side (of a phonograph record), esp. the less important or less popular side

flip¹ (flip) flipped, flip´ping •vt. 1 to toss or move with a quick jerk; flick {flip the drawer shut} 2 to snap (a coin) into the air with the thumb, as in betting on which side will land uppermost 3 to turn or turn over {to flip pages in a book} •vi. 1 to make a quick, light stroke, as with the finger or a whip; snap 2 to move jerkily 3 to flip a coin, as in letting chance decide something 4 to turn over quickly; specif., to execute a flip 5 to look (through) in a quick, random manner Æ 6 [Slang] to lose self-control as a result of excitement, anger, madness, etc.: also flip out •n. 1 the act or motion of flipping; snap, tap, jerk, or toss 2 a somersault in the air Æ flip one's lid (or wig) [Slang] to lose self-control; go berserk [echoic]

flip² (flip) •n. a sweetened mixed drink of beer, wine, or liquor with eggs, spices, etc. [prob. < prec.]

flip³ (flip) flip´per, flip´pest •adj. [Colloq.] flippant; saucy; impertinent [contr. < FLIPPANT]

flip-flop (flip´fläp') •n. Æ 1 an acrobatic spring backward from the feet to the hands and back to the feet 2 an abrupt change, as to an opposite opinion 3 a flapping noise 4 THONG (sense 3) 5 Electronics a circuit having two stable states and remaining in one until a signal causes it to switch to the other •vi. -flopped', -flop'ping to do a flip-flop

flippancy (flip´эn si:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being flippant 2 pl. -cies a flippant act or remark

flippant (flip´эnt) •adj. 1 [Obs.] glib; talkative 2 frivolous and disrespectful; saucy; impertinent flip´pant·ly •adv. [Early ModE, nimble, prob. < FLIP¹]

flipper (flip´эr) •n. 1 a broad, flat part or limb adapted for swimming, as in seals or whales Æ 2 a large, flat, paddlelike rubber device worn on each foot by a swimmer or skin diver to increase the force of the kick [< FLIP¹]

FLIR or FLir an electronic heat sensor able to detect and display on a TV-like screen a distant scene despite darkness, smoke, etc.: used esp. in military aircraft [f(orward) l(ooking) i(nfra)r(ed)]

flirt (flørt) •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to toss or flick quickly 2 to move jerkily back and forth {the bird flirted its tail} •vi. 1 to move jerkily or unevenly 2 to pay amorous attention to someone without serious intentions or emotional commitment; play at love 3 to trifle or toy {to flirt with an idea} •n. 1 a quick, jerky movement; flutter 2 a person who flirts with others SYN. TRIFLE [earlier flert, flurt < ? OFr fleureter, to touch lightly, lit., move from flower to flower < fleur, FLOWER]

flirtation (flэr tei´shэn) •n. 1 a flirting, or playing at love 2 a frivolous or playful love affair

flirtatious (flэr tei´shэs) •adj. 1 inclined to flirt 2 of or characteristic of flirtation Also flirt·y (flørt´i:) flir·ta´tious·ly •adv.

flit (flit) flit´ted, flit´ting •vi. 1 to pass lightly and rapidly {memories flitted through his mind} 2 to fly lightly and rapidly; flutter 3 [Scot. or North Eng.] to move to other quarters, esp. by stealth 4 [Brit. Colloq.] to leave quickly, esp. to escape creditors, etc. •vt. [Scot. or North Eng.] to move to other quarters •n. 1 the act or an instance of flitting Æ 2 [Slang] a male homosexual: a mildly contemptuous term [ME flitten < ON flytja, akin to OE fleotan, FLEET²]

flitch (flich) •n. 1 the cured and salted side of a hog; side of bacon 2 a lengthwise strip or beam cut from a tree trunk 3 either of two thick boards bolted together with a steel plate between them to form a beam (flitch beam) •vt. to cut so as to form flitches [< the n.] [ME flicche < OE flicce, akin to ON flikki < IE base *plē, *plēi-, to tear (off) > FLAY]

flitter¹ (flit´эr) •vi., vt. FLUTTER [ME flitteren, freq. of flitten, FLIT]

flitter² (flit´эr) •n. a person or thing that flits

flivver (fliv´эr) •n. [Old Slang] a small, cheap automobile, esp. an old one [< ?]

float (flout) •n. 1 anything that stays, or causes something else to stay, on the surface of a liquid or suspended near the surface; specif., a) an air-filled bladder, as in a fish b) a cork on a fishing line c) a floating ball or device that regulates the valve controlling water level, as in a tank, or fuel supply, as in a carburetor d) a raftlike platform anchored near a shore, as for use by swimmers Æ e) a life preserver f) a buoyant device on an aircraft to enable it to land or remain on water 2 a) a low, flat, decorated vehicle for carrying exhibits, tableaux, etc. in a parade b) this vehicle together with its exhibit, tableau, etc. 3 a flat tool for smoothing or spreading cement, plaster, etc. 4 a thread that is brought to the surface of a cloth in weaving, esp. to form a pattern Æ 5 a cold beverage with ice cream floating in it {root beer float} 6 the act or an instance of floating 7 any of the various styles of floating executed by swimmers 8 the act of allowing a currency to float on the market Æ 9 Banking the total value of checks or drafts in transit and not yet collected •vi. [ME flotien < OE flotian] 1 to stay on the surface of a liquid or suspended near the surface 2 to drift or move slowly or easily on water, in air, etc. {leaves floating down from the trees} Æ 3 to move or drift about vaguely and without purpose {idle thoughts floating through the mind} 4 to fluctuate freely in relationship to other currencies, as determined by supply and demand: said of a currency •vt. 1 a) to cause to stay on the surface of a liquid or suspended near the surface b) to bring to the surface and cause to stay there 2 [Now Rare] to cover (land) with water; flood 3 a) to put into circulation; place on the market {to float a bond issue} b) to establish or start (a business, etc.) 4 to arrange for (a loan) 5 to smooth or spread (cement, plaster, etc.) 6 to allow the exchange value of (a currency) to fluctuate freely in relationship to other currencies float´a·ble •adj. [ME flote < OE flota, that which floats, ship, fleet < base of fleotan: see FLEET²]

float valve a valve regulated by a float

floatage (flout´ij) •n. alt. sp. of FLOTAGE

floatation (flou tei´shэn) •n. alt. sp. of FLOTATION

floater (flout´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that floats Æ 2 a person who illegally casts a vote at each of several polling places Æ 3 a person who changes his or her place of residence or work at frequent intervals; drifter; esp., a transient laborer 4 an employee who works at various times, locations, etc. as required by an employer 5 an insurance policy covering movable property irrespective of its location at the time of loss 6 [pl.] specks that appear to float before the eyes, caused by defects or impurities in the vitreous humor; muscae volitantes

floating (flout´iŋ) •adj. 1 that floats 2 not fixed; not remaining in one place; moving about 3 Finance a) designating an unfunded, short-time debt resulting from current operations and having no specified date for repayment b) not permanently invested; available for current expenses {floating capital} 4 Mech. designating or of parts, as in a suspension, that reduce force or vibration 5 Med. displaced from the normal position and moving more freely {a floating kidney}

floating (dry) dock a dock that floats and can be lowered in the water for the entrance of a ship, and then raised for use as a dry dock

floating island Æ 1 a floating mass of earth resembling an island 2 a dessert of boiled custard topped with a dab or dabs of meringue or whipped cream

floating ribs the eleventh and twelfth pairs of ribs, not attached to the breastbone or to other ribs but only to the vertebrae

floating-point (flout´iŋ point') •adj. designating or of a system of arithmetic, used esp. in computer science, having its numbers expressed in scientific notation (Ex.: 0.0003 becomes 3 X 10-4)

floatplane (flout´plein') •n. a seaplane equipped with pontoons or floats

floc (fläk) •n. 1 a very fine, fluffy mass formed by the aggregation of fine suspended particles, as in a precipitate 2 FLOCK² (senses 1, 2, & 3) [contr. < FLOCCULE]

floccose (fläk´ous') •adj. covered with soft wool or wool-like tufts [LL floccosus < L floccus: see FLOCCUS]

flocculant (fläk´yэ lэnt) •n. a substance causing flocculation, as a chemical used in treating waste water Also called flocculating agent

flocculate (fläk´yu: leit', -yэ-; for n., -leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. to form small, individual masses, as in a suspension •n. a flocculated mass floc'cu·la´tion •n.

floccule (fläk´yu:l') •n. a small mass of matter resembling a soft tuft of wool, as in a suspension [see FLOCCULUS]

flocculent (fläk´yu: lэnt, -yэ-) •adj. 1 like wool or tufts of wool; fluffy 2 containing or consisting of small woolly masses 3 covered with a wool-like substance, as some insects floc´cu·lence •n. [< L floccus (see FLOCCUS) + -ULENT]

flocculus (fläk´yu: lэs, -yэ-) pl. -li' (-lai') •n. 1 a small, woolly or hairy tuft or mass 2 Anat. a small lobe on the underside of each half of the cerebellum Æ 3 Astron. a former term for PLAGE [ModL, dim. < L floccus, flock of wool: see FLOCCUS]

floccus (fläk´эs) pl. floc·ci (fläk´sai') •n. a woolly or hairy tuft or mass [L, flock of wool < IE *bhlok- > OHG blaha, coarse linen cloth]

flock¹ (fläk) •n. 1 a group of certain animals, as goats or sheep, or of birds, living, feeding, or moving together 2 any group, esp. a large one, as the members of a church or the children in a family •vi. to assemble or travel in a flock or crowd SYN. GROUP [ME floc < OE flocc, a troop, band, akin to ON flokkr, prob. < var. of IE base *pel-, to pour, fill > L plere, to fill]

flock² (fläk) •n. 1 a small tuft of wool, cotton, etc. 2 wool or cotton waste used to stuff upholstered furniture, mattresses, etc. 3 tiny, fine fibers of wool, rayon, etc. applied to a fabric, wallpaper, or the like to form a velvetlike pattern 4 FLOC (sense 1) •vt. to stuff or decorate with flock [ME flocke < OFr floc < L floccus: see FLOCCUS]

flocking (fläk´iŋ) •n. 1 FLOCK² (n. 3) 2 a material or surface with flock applied to it

flocky (fläk´i:) flock´i·er, flock´i·est •adj. flocculent; floccose

Flodden (fläd´ªn) hilly field in N Northumberland, England: site of a battle (1513) in which the English defeated James IV of Scotland

floe (flou) •n. ICE FLOE [prob. < Norw flo, layer, expanse < ON < IE base *plā-, > FLAG²]

flog (fläg, flög) flogged, flog´ging •vt. 1 to beat with a strap, stick, whip, etc., esp. as punishment 2 [Brit., etc. Slang] to sell SYN. BEAT flog´ger •n. [? cant abbrev. of L flagellare, to whip: see FLAGELLATE]

flokati (flou kä´ti:) •n. [also F-] a rug with a thick, rough nap, that originated as a hand-woven, white wool rug in Greece, but is now also made in a variety of colors with synthetic fibers

flood (flûd) •n. 1 an overflowing of water on an area normally dry; inundation; deluge 2 the flowing in of water from the sea as the tide rises 3 a great flow or outpouring {a flood of words} 4 [Colloq.] FLOODLIGHT 5 [Archaic] a) water, as opposed to land b) a large body of water, as a sea or broad river •vt. 1 to cover or fill with or as with a flood; overflow; inundate {rain flooded the valley; music flooded the room} 2 to put much or too much water, fuel, etc. on or in {to flood a carburetor} •vi. 1 to rise, flow, or gush out in or as in a flood 2 to become flooded the Flood Bible the great flood in Noah's time: Gen. 7 [ME flode < OE flod, akin to Ger flut: for IE base see FLOW]

flood control the protection of land from floods by the construction of dams, reservoirs, river embankments, soil conservation, reforestation, etc.

flood plain a plain along a river, formed from sediment deposited by floods

flood tide the incoming or rising tide: cf. EBB TIDE

floodgate (flûd´geit') •n. 1 a gate in a stream or canal, to control the height and flow of the water; sluice 2 anything like this in controlling a flow or an outburst

floodlight (flûd´lait') •n. 1 an artificial light of high intensity, usually with a reflector that causes it to shine in a broad beam 2 such a beam of light •vt. -light'ed or -lit', -light'ing to illuminate by a floodlight or floodlights

flooey or flooie (flu:´i:) •adj. [Slang] BLOOEY

floor (flör) •n. 1 the inside bottom surface of a room, hall, etc., on which one stands or walks 2 the bottom surface of anything {the ocean floor} 3 the platform of a bridge, pier, etc. 4 a level or story in a building {an office on the sixth floor} 5 a) the part of a legislative chamber, stock exchange, etc. occupied by the members and not including the gallery or platform b) such members as a group Æ 6 permission or the right to speak in an assembly {to ask a chairman for the floor} 7 a lower limit set on anything, as by official regulation •vt. 1 to cover or furnish with a floor 2 to knock down 3 [Colloq.] a) to be the victor over; defeat b) to flabbergast; astound 4 [Colloq.] to press down to the floor: often in the phrase floor it, to depress the accelerator of a vehicle to the floorboard in order to go as fast as possible [ME flor < OE, akin to Ger flur, a plain < IE base *plā-, broad, flat > PLAIN¹]

floor exercise Gym. any of various routines involving balletic displays and tumbling movements, done without apparatus, sometimes to music

floor leader a member of a legislature chosen by a political party to direct its actions on the floor

floor plan a scale drawing of the layout of rooms, halls, etc. on one floor of a building

floor show a show presenting singers, dancers, etc. in a restaurant, nightclub, etc.

floorage (flör´ij) •n. the area of a floor Also floor space

floorboard (flör´börd') •n. 1 a board in a floor 2 the floor of an automobile, etc.

flooring (flör´iŋ) •n. 1 a floor 2 floors collectively 3 material for making a floor

floor-through (-θru:') •n. an apartment that takes up the entire floor of a building

floorwalker (flör´wök'эr) •n. a person employed by a department store to direct customers, supervise sales, etc. Now usually floor (or sales) manager

floozy or floozie (flu:´zi:) pl. -zies [Slang] a disreputable woman or girl, esp. one who is promiscuous or a prostitute Also sp. floo´sy or floo´sie, pl. -sies •n. [< FLOSSY]

flop (fläp) flopped, flop´ping •vt. 1 to flap, strike, throw, or cause to drop noisily and clumsily 2 Photoengraving to turn (a film negative) face down before exposure to a metal plate, in order to create a desired mirror image •vi. 1 to move or flap around loosely or clumsily, usually with a thud or thuds 2 to fall or drop in this way {to flop into a chair} Æ 3 to make a sudden change 4 [Colloq.] to be a failure Æ 5 [Slang] to go to sleep •n. 1 the act or sound of flopping Æ 2 [Colloq.] a failure Æ 3 [Slang] a place to sleep •adv. with a flop flop´per •n. [echoic var. of FLAP]

flophouse (fläp´haus') •n. [Colloq.] a very cheap hotel frequented chiefly by indigents

flopover (-ou'vэr) •n. TV faulty reception in which the picture appears to move repeatedly up or down the screen

floppy (fläp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. [Colloq.] flopping or inclined to flop; soft and flexible •n. short for FLOPPY DISK flop´pi·ly •adv. flop´pi·ness •n.

floppy disk a small, flexible, relatively inexpensive computer disk for storing data, esp. in smaller computers

Flora (flör´э, flou´rэ) 1 a feminine name 2 Rom. Myth. the goddess of flowers •n. [f-] 1 pl. -ras or -rae (-i:) the plants of a specified region or time {the flora of Africa} 2 a descriptive, systematic list of such plants [L < flos, FLOWER: adopted by Carolus LINNAEUS (1745) as term for the plants of a region]

floral (flör´эl, flou´rэl) •adj. of, made of, or like flowers flo´ral·ly •adv. [L floralis, of the goddess Flora: see FLORA]

floral envelope PERIANTH

Florence (flör´эns, flär´-) 1 a feminine name: dim. Flo, Flossie; equiv. Ger. Florenz, It. Fiorenza, Sp. Florencia 2 commune in Tuscany, central Italy, on the Arno River: pop. 430,000: It. name FIRENZE [Fr < L Florentia, lit., a blooming < florens, prp. of florere, to bloom < flos: see BLOOM¹]

Florentine (flör´эn ti:n', -tain', -tin; flär´-) •adj. 1 of Florence, Italy, or its people, culture, or art 2 [often f-] designating a metal finish, as for jewelry, with finely incised lines that impart a dull luster •n. a native or inhabitant of Florence

Flores (flô´řes) 1 island of Indonesia, west of Timor & south of Celebes: 5,500 sq. mi. (14,245 sq. km) 2 westernmost island of the Azores: 55 sq. mi. (143 sq. km)

Flores Sea part of the Pacific, between the islands of Celebes & Flores in Indonesia

florescence (flou res´эns, flö-, flэ-) •n. 1 the act, condition, or period of blooming 2 a period of success or achievement flo·res´cent (-эnt) •adj. [< L florescens, prp. of florescere, to begin to bloom, inceptive of florere, to bloom < flos: see BLOOM¹]

floret (flör´it, flou´rit) •n. 1 a small flower 2 any of the individual flowers making up the head of a plant of the composite family 3 the flowering unit of a grass spikelet, consisting of the flower and its two enveloping bracts [ME flourette < OFr florete, dim. of flor, FLOWER]

Florey (flör´i:), Sir Howard Walter 1898-1968; Brit. pathologist, born in Australia: developed penicillin together with Sir Alexander Fleming

Florianópolis (flör'i: э näp´э lis) city on an island just off the SE coast of Brazil: capital of Santa Catarina state: pop. 154,000

floriated (flör´i: eit'id, flou´ri:-) •adj. having floral decorations flo'ri·a´tion •n.

floribunda (flör'i bûn´dэ, flou'ri-) •n. any of a group of rose varieties created by crossing polyantha and hybrid tea roses and characterized by clusters of small to medium-sized flowers produced in profusion [ModL, fem. of *floribundus, abounding in blossoms < L flos, FLOWER + -bundus (as in moribundus, MORIBUND), taken to mean producing: sense infl. by ABUNDANT]

floriculture (flör´i kûl'chэr, flou´ri-) •n. the cultivation of flowers, esp. ones to be cut and sold flo'ri·cul´tur·al •adj. flo'ri·cul´tur·ist •n. [< L flos (gen. floris): see BLOOM¹ & CULTURE]

florid (flör´id, flär´-) •adj. 1 flushed with red or pink; rosy; ruddy: said of the complexion 2 highly decorated; gaudy; showy; ornate {a florid musical passage} 3 [Obs.] decorated with flowers; flowery flo·rid·i·ty (flou rid´э ti:, flö-, flэ-) or flor´id·ness •n. flor´id·ly •adv. [L floridus, flowery < flos, a FLOWER]

Florida (flör´э dэ, flär´-) 1 Southern State of the SE U.S., mostly on a peninsula between the Atlantic & the Gulf of Mexico: admitted, 1845; 58,560 sq. mi. (151,670 sq. km); pop. 12,938,000; cap. Tallahassee: abbrev. FL or Fla 2 Straits of strait between the S tip of Fla. & Cuba on the south & the Bahamas on the southeast: it connects the Atlantic & the Gulf of Mexico: also called Florida Strait Flo·rid·i·an (flö rid´i: эn) or Flor´i·dan •adj., n. [Sp < L, lit., abounding in flowers < flos (gen. floris): see BLOOM¹: so named by PONCE DE LEÓN]

Florida Keys chain of small islands extending southwest from the S tip of Fla.: see EVERGLADE, map

floriferous (flou rif´эr эs, flö-, flэ-) •adj. bearing flowers; blooming abundantly [L florifer (< flos, a FLOWER + ferre, BEAR¹) + -OUS]

florigen (flör´э jэn, -jen') •n. a plant hormone thought to stimulate the flowering of plants [< L flos (gen. floris), FLOWER + -GEN: so named at California Institute of Technology]

florin (flör´in) •n. 1 orig., a gold coin of medieval Florence, issued in 1252 2 a British coin originally equal to two shillings: coinage discontinued in 1971 3 any of various European or South African silver or gold coins [ME < OFr < It fiorino < fiore, a flower < L flos (gen. floris), FLOWER: from the figure of a lily stamped on the original coins]

Florio (flör´i: ou'), John c. 1553-1625; Eng. writer & lexicographer: translator of Montaigne

Florissant (flör´э sэnt) city in E Mo.: suburb of St. Louis: pop. 51,000 [Fr, flourishing, a prp. of fleurir, to bloom, flourish < L florere < flos, FLOWER]

florist (flör´ist, flär´-; flou´rist) •n. a person who cultivates or sells flowers flo´ris·try (-is tri:) •n. [< L flos (gen. floris): see BLOOM¹ & -IST]

floristic (flou ris´tik, flö-, flэ-) •adj. of or having to do with flowers or floristics flo·ris´ti·cal·ly •adv.

floristics (-tiks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of botany dealing with the kinds and number of plant species in particular areas and their distribution [FLORIST + -ICS]

-florous (flэ rэs) combining form having a (specified) number or kind of flowers {triflorous, tubuliflorous} [< LL -florus < L flos (gen. floris): see BLOOM¹]

Flory (flör´i:), Paul John 1910-85; U.S. chemist

flos ferri (fläs´fer´ai) an arborescent variety of aragonite, usually found in iron ore [L, lit., flower of iron]

floss (flös, fläs) •n. 1 the rough silk covering a silkworm's cocoon 2 the short, downy waste fibers of silk 3 a soft, loosely twisted thread or yarn, as of silk (floss silk) or cotton, used in embroidery: in full embroidery floss 4 a soft, silky substance resembling floss, as in milkweed pods 5 DENTAL FLOSS •vt., vi. to clean (the teeth) with dental floss [earlier also flosh < Fr floche, downy, woolly (in soie floche, floss silk), ult. < L floccus: see FLOCCUS]

flossy (flös´i:, fläs´i:) floss´i·er, floss´i·est •adj. 1 of or like floss; downy; light; fluffy Æ 2 [Slang] stylish in a showy way

flotage (flout´ij) •n. 1 the act, condition, or power of floating 2 anything that floats; esp., floating debris; flotsam [< FLOAT, v. + -AGE, after OFr]

flotation (flou tei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or condition of floating; specif., the act of beginning or financing a business, etc., as by selling an entire issue of bonds, securities, etc. 2 the capacity to stay on the surface of soft material, as sand or snow: said of a tire on a motor vehicle 3 Mining a method of ore separation in which finely powdered ore is introduced into a bubbling solution to which oils are added: certain minerals float on the surface, and others sink [earlier floatation, respelled as if < Fr flottaison]

flotilla (flou til´э) •n. 1 a small fleet 2 a fleet of boats or small ships Æ 3 U.S. Navy a unit consisting of two or more squadrons of destroyers or smaller vessels [Sp, dim. of flota, a fleet < OFr flote < ON floti < Gmc *flutan: for IE base see FLOW]

Flotow (flou´tou), Baron Frie·drich von (fři:´dřiH fôn) 1812-83; Ger. operatic composer

flotsam (flät´sэm) •n. 1 the wreckage of a ship or its cargo floating at sea 2 odds and ends 3 unemployed people who drift from place to place The term flotsam and jetsam, which combines the marine senses of the two words, is also used for senses 2 & 3 of FLOTSAM [Anglo-Fr floteson < OFr flotaison, a floating < floter, to float < MDu vloten (or OE flotian), to FLOAT]

flounce¹ (flauns) flounced, flounc´ing •vi. 1 to move with quick, flinging motions of the body, as in anger 2 to twist or turn abruptly; jerk •n. the act of flouncing [Early ModE, orig., to dive: < ? Scand, as in Swed dial. flunsa, to dive, dip; ? infl. by BOUNCE]

flounce² (flauns) •n. a piece of cloth, often gathered or pleated, sewn on by its upper edge to a skirt, sleeve, etc.; wide, ornamental ruffle •vt. flounced, flounc´ing to trim with a flounce or flounces flounc´y •adj. [earlier frounce < ME < OFr fronce < froncir, to wrinkle < Frank *hrunkja, wrinkle, akin to Ger runzel]

flouncing (flauns´iŋ) •n. 1 material for making flounces 2 a flounce, or flounces collectively

flounder¹ (flaun´dэr) •vi. 1 to struggle awkwardly to move, as in deep mud or snow; plunge about in a stumbling manner 2 to speak or act in an awkward, confused manner, with hesitation and frequent mistakes •n. the act of floundering [earlier flunder, ? blend of BLUNDER + FOUNDER¹]

flounder² (flaun´dэr) pl. -der •n.or -ders any of two families (Bothidae and Pleuronectidae) of flatfishes, including halibut, plaice, and turbot [ME < Scand as in Swed flundra, akin to Ger flunder < IE base *plāt-, FLAT¹]

flour (flaur) •n. 1 a fine, powdery substance, or meal, produced by grinding and sifting grain, esp. wheat, or any of various edible roots, nuts, etc. 2 any finely powdered substance •vt. 1 to put flour in or on 2 to make into flour [ME (see FLOWER): a fig. use as best, prime in flour of wheat, after Fr fleur de farine, lit., flower of meal]

flourish (flør´ish) •vi. 1 orig., to blossom 2 to grow vigorously; succeed; thrive; prosper 3 to be at the peak of development, activity, influence, production, etc.; be in one's prime 4 to make showy, wavy motions, as of the arms 5 [Now Rare] a) to write in an ornamental style b) to perform a fanfare, as of trumpets •vt. 1 to ornament with something flowery or fanciful 2 to wave (a sword, arm, hat, etc.) in the air; brandish [first so used by John WYCLIFFE] •n. 1 [Rare] a thriving state; success; prosperity 2 anything done in a showy way, as a sweeping movement of the limbs or body 3 a waving in the air; brandishing 4 a decorative or curved line or lines in writing 5 an ornate musical passage; fanfare 6 [Obs.] a blooming or a bloom flour´ish·er •n. flour´ish·ing •adj. [ME florishen < extended stem of OFr florir, to blossom < LL *florire < L florere < flos, FLOWER]

floury (flaur´i:) •adj. 1 of flour 2 like flour in color or texture; powdery or white 3 covered with flour

flout (flaut) •vt. to mock or scoff at; show scorn or contempt for •vi. to be scornful; show contempt; jeer; scoff •n. a scornful or contemptuous action or speech; mockery; scoffing; insult flout´er •n. flout´ing·ly •adv. [prob. special use of ME flouten, to play the flute, hence, whistle (at)]

flow (flou) •vi. 1 to move as a liquid does; move in a stream, like water 2 unto move in a way suggestive of a liquid; stream {crowds flowed past} 3 a) to move gently, smoothly, and easily; glide b) to have smooth and pleasing continuity {the lines in the painting flowed} 4 to stream forth; pour out 5 to be derived; spring; proceed 6 to fall in waves; hang loose {her long hair flowed down her back} 7 to come in; rise, as the tide 8 to be overflowing or plentiful 9 Geol. to change in shape under pressure without breaking or splitting, as ice in a glacier or rocks deep in the earth •vt. 1 to overflow; flood 2 [Archaic] to cause to flow •n. 1 the act or manner of flowing 2 the rate of flowing 3 anything that flows; stream or current 4 a continuous production {a flow of ideas} 5 the rising of the tide SYN. RISE flow´ing·ly •adv. [ME flouen < OE flowan, akin to ON floa, to flood, OHG flouwen, to wash < IE base *pleu-, to run, flow, fly > FLOOD, FLY¹, FLEE, FLEET², FLOAT, L pluere, to rain]

flowage (-ij) Æ n. 1 a flowing, overflowing, or flooding 2 a flooded condition 3 what flows or overflows 4 Geol. a gradual change in shape of rocks that occurs without breakage

flowchart (-chärt') •n. a diagram, often using geometric symbols, showing steps in a sequence of operations, as in manufacturing or in a computer program

flower (flau´эr) •n. 1 a) the seed-producing structure of an angiosperm, consisting of a shortened stem usually bearing four layers of organs, with the leaflike sepals, colorful petals, and pollen-bearing stamens unfolding around the pistils b) a blossom; bloom c) the reproductive structure of any plant 2 a plant cultivated for its blossoms; flowering plant 3 the best or finest part or example {the flower of a country's youth} 4 the best period of a person or thing; time of flourishing 5 something decorative; esp., a figure of speech 6 [pl.] Chem. a substance in powder form, made from condensed vapors {flowers of sulfur} •vi. 1 to produce blossoms; bloom 2 to reach the best or most vigorous stage {his genius flowered early} •vt. to decorate with flowers or floral patterns in flower in a state of flowering flow´er·less •adj. flow´er·like' •adj. [ME flowre, flour, OFr flor, flour (Fr fleur) < L flos (gen. floris), a flower: see BLOOM¹]

flower child [Slang] HIPPIE

flower girl 1 a girl or woman who sells flowers in the streets 2 a little girl who carries flowers and attends the bride at a wedding

flower head Bot. HEAD (n. 17a)

flowerage (-ij) •n. 1 flowers collectively 2 the act or condition of flowering

flowered (flau´эrd) •adj. 1 bearing or containing flowers 2 decorated with a design like flowers

floweret (flau´эr it) •n. FLORET [ME flourette, dim. of flour, FLOWER]

flowering (flau´эr iŋ) •adj. 1 having flowers; in bloom 2 bearing showy or profuse flowers

flowering crab any of several species and varieties of crab apple trees with small fruits and abundant spring flowers ranging from white to reddish purple

flowering quince JAPANESE QUINCE

flower-of-an-hour (-эv эn aur´) •n. an annual weedy plant (Hibiscus trionum) of the mallow family, having yellow or white flowers with dark centers

flowerpot (flau´эr pät') •n. a container, usually made of porous clay, in which to grow plants

flowery (flau´эr i:) -er·i·er, -er·i·est •adj. 1 covered or decorated with flowers 2 of or like flowers 3 full of figurative and ornate expressions and fine words: said of language, style, etc. SYN. BOMBASTIC flow´er·i·ly •adv. flow´er·i·ness •n.

flown¹ (floun) •vi., vt. pp. of FLY¹: sometimes used to form hyphenated adjectives {far-flown, high-flown}

flown² (floun) •adj. filled too full [obs. pp. of FLOW]

flowstone (flou´stoun') •n. a calcareous deposit, a kind of travertine, accumulated in caves by the evaporation of seeping water

Floyd (floid) a masculine name [var. of LLOYD: Fl- for Welsh Ll-]

FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act

flt flight

flu (flu:) •n. 1 short for INFLUENZA 2 popularly, any of various respiratory or intestinal infections caused by a virus

flub (flûb) flubbed, flub´bing •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to make a botch of (a job, chance, stroke, etc.); bungle •n. [Colloq.] a mistake or blunder [< ? FL(OP) + (D)UB¹]

fluctuate (flûk´chu: eit', -chэ weit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. 1 to move back and forth or up and down; rise and fall; undulate, as waves 2 to be continually changing or varying in an irregular way {prices fluctuated wildly} •vt. to cause to fluctuate SYN. SWING fluc´tu·ant •adj. fluc'tu·a´tion •n. [< L fluctuatus, pp. of fluctuare < fluctus, a flowing, wave < pp. stem of fluere, to flow < IE *bhleu-, to swell up, flow (> BLUSTER) < base *bhel-, to swell up > BALL¹]

flue pipe an organ pipe in which the tone is produced by a current of air striking the lip of the mouth, or opening, in the pipe

flue¹ (flu:) •n. 1 a tube, pipe, or shaft for the passage of smoke, hot air, exhaust fumes, etc., esp. in a chimney 2 [ME, mouthpiece of a hunting horn] a) a flue pipe in an organ b) the opening or passage for air in such a flue pipe [< ? OFr fluie, a flowing, stream]

flue² (flu:) •n. a barbed point; fluke [altered < ? FLUKE²]

flue³ (flu:) •n. a loose, downy mass; fluff [< Fl vluwe < Fr velu, woolly < VL villutus, shaggy < L villus, shaggy hair]

flue4 (flu:) •n. any of various kinds of fishing net [ME flew < MDu vluwe]

flue-cured (flu:´kyurd´) •adj. cured or dried by hot air passed through flues: said of tobacco

fluegelhorn or flügelhorn (flu:´gэl hörn'; Ger flü´-) •n. a brass instrument like the cornet in design and pitch but with a wider bore, larger bell, and mellower tone [Ger < flügel, wing < horn, horn: because of shape]

fluency (flu:´эn si:) •n. the quality or condition of being fluent, esp. in speech or writing [LL fluentia < L fluens: see FLUENT]

fluent (flu:´эnt) •adj. 1 flowing or moving smoothly and easily {fluent verse} 2 able to write or speak easily, smoothly, and expressively {fluent in French} flu´ent·ly •adv. [L fluens (gen. fluentis), prp. of fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

fluff (flûf) •n. 1 soft, light down 2 a loose, soft, downy mass of hair, feathers, cotton, dust, etc. 3 any light or trivial matter or talk 4 Theater, Radio, TV an error in speaking or reading a line •vt. 1 to shake or pat until loose, feathery, and fluffy 2 Theater, Radio, TV to make an error in speaking or reading (a word, one's lines, etc.) 3 to make a botch of; flub •vi. 1 to become fluffy 2 to make a mistake bit (or piece) of fluff [Slang] a girl or young woman: now often regarded as patronizing [? blend of FLUE³ + PUFF]

fluffy (flûf´i:) fluff´i·er, fluff´i·est •adj. 1 soft and light like fluff; feathery 2 covered with fluff 3 frothy; foamy fluff´i·ness •n.

fluid (flu:´id) •adj. 1 that can flow; not solid; able to move and change shape without separating when under pressure 2 of a fluid or fluids 3 like a fluid; that can change rapidly or easily; not settled or fixed {fluid plans} 4 marked by or using graceful movements 5 available for investment {fluid capital} 6 available as cash {fluid assets} •n. 1 any substance that can flow; liquid or gas 2 a liquid in the body flu·id·ic (flu: id´ik) •adj. flu·id´i·ty or flu´id·ness •n. flu´id·ly •adv. [ME < L fluidus < fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

fluid dram (or drachm) a unit of liquid measure equal to ¹/8 fluid ounce Also flu·i·dram (flu:´i dræm') •n.

fluid mechanics the study of the flow properties of liquids and gases

fluid ounce a unit of liquid measure equal to 8 fluid drams, ¹/16 pint, or 29.57 ml (in Great Britain and Canada, ¹/20 imperial pint, or 28.42 cc) Also flu·id·ounce (flu:'id auns´) •n.

fluidextract (-ek´strækt') Pharmacy a solution containing dissolved vegetable drugs, alcohol, and water, of such strength that one cm³ is equal to one gram of the dried drug Also fluid extract •n.

fluidics (flu: id´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science or technology dealing with the control of a flow of air or some other fluid, used like an electronic circuit to perform functions of sensing, control, computing, etc. [FLUID + -ICS]

fluidize (flu:´id aiz', flu:´э daiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make fluid 2 to give fluid properties to (a solid), as by pulverizing

fluidized-bed (flu:'id aizd'bed´) •adj. designating, of, or having to do with a process for burning coal, garbage, etc. to produce electricity, using a rising stream of hot air to support, churn, and burn a fluidlike bed of fuel particles mixed with sand, ash, etc.

fluke¹ (flu:k) •n. 1 any of various flatfishes, esp. a genus (Paralichthys) of flounders 2 TREMATODE [ME floke < OE floc, akin to ON floki < IE base *plāg-, broad, flat > FLAG², Ger flach, flat, level]

fluke² (flu:k) •n. 1 a pointed part of an anchor, designed to catch in the ground Æ 2 a barb or barbed head of an arrow, harpoon, etc. 3 either of the two lobes of a whale's tail [prob. < prec., with reference to shape]

fluke³ (flu:k) •n. 1 [Old Slang] an accidentally good or lucky stroke in billiards, pool, etc. 2 [Colloq.] a result, esp. a successful one, brought about by accident; stroke of luck •vt. fluked, fluk´ing [Colloq.] to hit or get by a fluke [< ?]

fluky (flu:k´i:) fluk´i·er, fluk´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 resulting from chance rather than skill or design; lucky 2 constantly changing; uncertain; fitful {a fluky breeze} fluk´i·ness •n. [< prec.]

flume (flu:m) •n. Æ 1 an artificial channel, usually an inclined chute or trough, for carrying water to furnish power, transport logs down a mountainside, etc. Æ 2 a narrow gorge or ravine with a stream running through it Æ flumed, flum´ing •vt. to send (logs, water, etc.) down or through a flume [ME flum, river, stream < OFr < L flumen < fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

flummery (flûm´эr i:) pl. -mer·ies •n. 1 any soft, easily eaten food; esp., a) orig., thick, boiled oatmeal or flour b) a soft custard or blancmange 2 meaningless flattery or silly talk [Welsh llymru, soured oatmeal < llymus, of a sharp quality]

flummox (flûm´эks) •vt. [Old Slang] to confuse; perplex [< ?]

flump (flûmp) •vt., vi. to drop or move heavily and noisily •n. the act or sound of flumping [prob. echoic]

flung (flûŋ) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of FLING

flunk (flûŋk) •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to fail in (schoolwork) {to flunk a science examination} 2 to give a mark of failure to (a student) •vi. [Colloq.] 1 to fail, esp. in schoolwork 2 to give up; retreat •n. [Colloq.] 1 a failure 2 a mark or grade of failure flunk out [Colloq.] to send or be sent away from school or college because of unsatisfactory work [19th-c. college slang < ? FUNK¹ or echoic]

flunky (flûŋ´ki:) pl. flunk´ies •n. 1 orig., a liveried manservant: term of contempt 2 a) a person who obeys superiors in a servile, cringing way Æ b) a person with very minor or menial tasks Also sp. flunk´ey, pl. -eys flunk´y·ism' •n. [orig. Scot < ? Fr flanquer, to flank, be at the side of, as to render aid < OFr flanc, FLANK]

fluo- (flu:´ou, -э) combining form FLUORO- [< fol.]

fluor (flu:´ör') •n. FLUORITE [ModL < L, flux < fluere, to flow (see FLUCTUATE): transl. of Ger fluss, orig. applied to minerals used as smelting fluxes, but later limited to those containing fluorine]

fluor spar FLUORITE: also flu·or·spar (flu:´ör spär') •n.

fluoresce (flu:'э res´, flu: res´; flur es´, flör-; flэ res´) -resced´, -resc´ing •vi. to produce, show, or undergo fluorescence; be or become fluorescent [back-form. < FLUORESCENCE]

fluorescein (flu:'э res´i: in, -res´i:n'; flu: res´-, flur es´-, flör-) •n. a yellowish-red, crystalline compound, C20H12O5, made synthetically from resorcinol and phthalic anhydride: a dilute alkaline solution appears green by reflected light and red by transmitted light: used as a textile dye, a liquid coloring, and, in medicine, an intravenous diagnostic aid [< prec. + -IN¹: from its bright fluorescence in solution]

fluorescence (flu:'э res´эns, flu: res´-; also, & of fluorescent lamps, etc., commonly, flör es´эns, flur es´-, or flэ res´-; cf. FLÛORESCE) •n. 1 the property of a substance, such as fluorite, of producing light while it is being acted upon by ultraviolet rays, X-rays, or other forms of radiant energy 2 the production of such light 3 light so produced [< FLUOR (SPAR) + -ESCENCE]

fluorescent (-эnt) •adj. 1 producing light when acted upon by radiant energy 2 glowing and vivid {fluorescent colors}

fluorescent lamp (or tube) a glass tube coated on the inside with a fluorescent substance that gives off light (fluorescent light) when mercury vapor in the tube is acted upon by a stream of electrons from the cathode

fluoridate (flör´э deit'; also flur´э deit', flu:´ou ri deit') -dat'ed, -dat'ing •vt. to add fluorides to (a supply of drinking water) in order to reduce the incidence of caries in the teeth flu·o·ri·da·tion (flör'э dei´shэn; also flur'э dei´shэn, flu:'ou ri dei´-) •n.

fluoride (flör´aid'; also flur´aid', flu:´э raid') •n. 1 a compound of fluorine and another element, radical, etc. 2 such a compound put in drinking water or toothpaste to prevent tooth decay

fluorinate (flör´э neit'; also flur´э neit', flu:´ou ri neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to introduce fluorine into or cause to combine with fluorine 2 FLUORIDATE flu·o·ri·na·tion (flör'э nei´shэn; also flur'э nei´shэn, flu:'ou ri nei´-) •n.

fluorine (flör´i:n', -in; also, flur´-; also, flu:´э ri:n', -rin) •n. a corrosive, toxic, greenish-yellow gaseous chemical element, the most reactive nonmetallic element, forming fluorides with almost all known elements: symbol, F; at. wt., 18.9984; at. no., 9; density, 1.695 g/l (0°C); melt. pt., -219.6°C; boil. pt., -188.13°C [FLUOR + -INE³]

fluorite (flör´ait'; also flur´ait' or flu:´э rait') •n. calcium fluoride, CaF2, a transparent, crystalline mineral having many colors and perfect cleavage: it is the principal source of fluorine and is used as a flux, in glassmaking, etc. [FLUOR(O)- + -ITE¹]

fluoro- (flu:´ou rou', -э rou', -rэ; flur´ou, flör´-; -э) combining form 1 fluorine {fluorosis} 2 fluorescence {fluoroscope} Also, before a vowel, flu´or'-

fluorocarbon (-kär´bэn) •n. any of a class of nonreactive organic compounds containing carbon, fluorine, and, in some cases, hydrogen: used as aerosols, lubricants, electrical insulators, etc.

fluorography (flu:'ou rä´grэ fi:, flu: э rä´-; flu: rä´-, flör ä´-) •n. PHOTOFLUOROGRAPHY

fluorometer (flu:'ou räm´эt эr, flu:'э räm´-; flu: räm´-; flör äm´-) •n. an instrument for measuring the wavelength and intensity of fluorescence flu·o·ro·met·ric (flur'э me´trik, flu:'эr э-) •adj. flu·o·rom´e·try (-tri:) •n.

fluoroscope (flör´э skoup'; also flur´э-, flu:´э rou'-) •n. a machine for examining the internal structure of people, animals, raw materials, welds, etc. by viewing the shadows cast on a fluorescent screen from X-rays: the shadows vary in intensity according to the density of the object or part •vt. -scoped', -scop'ing to examine with a fluoroscope flu·o·ro·scop·ic (flör'э skäp´ik; also flur'э-, flu:'э rou'-) •adj. flu·o·ro·scop·i·cal·ly (flör'э skäp´i kэl i:, etc.) •adv. [FLUORO- + -SCOPE]

fluoroscopy (flör äs´kэ pi:, flur-; also flu:'ou räs´-) •n. examination by means of a fluoroscope flu·o·ros´co·pist •n.

fluorosis (flör ou´sis, flur-; also flu:'э rou´-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. a disorder resulting from the absorption of too much fluorine [ModL: see FLUOR(O)- & -OSIS]

flurry (flør´i:) pl. -ries •n. Æ 1 a sudden, brief rush of wind; gust Æ 2 a gust of rain or snow 3 a sudden confusion or commotion Æ 4 a brief fluctuation in stock market prices or increase in trading •vt. -ried, -ry·ing to confuse; agitate •vi. to move in a quick, flustered way [< obs. flurr, to scatter (? echoic), prob. after HURRY]

flush¹ (flûsh) •vi. 1 to flow and spread suddenly and rapidly 2 to become red in the face, as with embarrassment or anger; blush 3 to glow 4 to become cleaned, washed, or emptied out with a sudden flow of water, etc. 5 to start up from cover: said of birds •vt. 1 to make flow 2 to clean, wash, or empty out with a sudden flow of water, etc. 3 to make blush or glow 4 to excite; animate; exhilarate: usually in the passive voice [flushed with victory] 5 to drive (game birds) from cover 6 to make level or even •n. 1 a sudden and rapid flow, as of water in washing out something 2 a sudden, vigorous growth {the first flush of youth} 3 a sudden feeling of excitement or exhilaration 4 a blush; glow 5 a sudden feeling of great heat, as in a fever •adj. 1 well supplied, esp. with money 2 abundant; plentiful 3 [Dial.] lavish; profuse 4 [Rare] full of vigor 5 [Rare] having a ruddy color; glowing 6 a) making an even or unbroken line or surface; being even or on the same line or plane {a door flush with the walls} b) even with a margin or edge 7 direct; full •adv. 1 in an even manner; so as to be level or in alignment 2 directly; squarely {it hit him flush in the face} [complex of several words, with senses FLASH & ME flusshen, to fly up suddenly, blended with echoic elements; flow senses < ? or akin to OFr fluir (stem fluiss-), to flow]

flush² (flûsh) •n. a hand of cards all in the same suit: in poker, a flush ranks just above a straight and below a full house [Fr flux: see FLUX]

Flushing (flûsh´iŋ) section of N Queens borough, New York City, on the East River [altered < Du Vlissingen, town in the Netherlands]

fluster (flûs´tэr) •vt., vi. to make or become confused, nervous, or befuddled •n. the condition of being flustered Etymology [ME flosteren, prob. < Scand, as in Ice flaustra, to bustle, hurry]

flute (flu:t) •n. 1 a) a high-pitched wind instrument consisting of a long, slender tube, played by blowing across a hole near one end: by fingering the holes and keys along its length, the player can produce various tones b) any of various similar instruments, as the fipple flute 2 a) an ornamental groove or pleat in cloth, etc. b) Archit. a long, vertical, rounded groove in the shaft of a column 3 a) a flue pipe b) a flue organ stop with a flutelike tone 4 a tall, slender wineglass, used esp. for champagne •vt. flut´ed, flut´ing 1 to sing, speak, whistle, etc. in a flutelike tone 2 to play on the flute 3 to make long, rounded grooves in (a column, etc.) •vi. 1 to play on the flute 2 to sing, speak, whistle, etc. in a flutelike tone flute´like' •adj. [ME floute < OFr fleüte, flaute < Prov fläut, prob. < flaujol (OFr flajeol: see FLAGEOLET) + laüt, LUTE¹]

fluted (flu:t´id) •adj. 1 having a flutelike tone; fluty 2 having long, rounded grooves

fluter (flu:t´эr) •n. 1 [Rare] a flutist 2 a person or tool that makes flutings [ME floutour < OFr flauteur]

fluting (flu:t´iŋ) •n. 1 a decoration consisting of long, rounded grooves, as in a column 2 such grooves or the act of making them 3 the act of playing the flute or singing, etc. in a flutelike tone

flutist (flu:t´ist) •n. a person who plays the flute; flautist

flutter (flût´эr) •vi. 1 to flap the wings rapidly, as in short flight or without flying at all 2 to wave or vibrate rapidly and irregularly {a flag fluttering in the wind} 3 to move with quick vibrations, flaps, etc. 4 to be in a state of tremulous excitement; tremble; quiver 5 to move restlessly; bustle •vt. 1 to cause to move in quick, irregular motions 2 to throw into a state of excitement, alarm, or confusion •n. 1 a fluttering movement; vibration 2 a state of excitement or confusion 3 a condition of the heart in which the contractions are very rapid but generally regular 4 a potentially destructive vibration of a part of an aircraft, as the wing, caused by aerodynamic forces 5 [Brit.] a small gamble or speculation 6 a) a rapid fluctuation in the amplitude of a reproduced sound (cf. WOW²) b) a flicker in the image on a television screen flut´ter·er •n. flut´ter·y •adj. [ME floteren < OE flotorian, freq. of flotian < base of fleotan: see FLEET²]

flutter kick a swimming kick in which the legs are moved up and down in short, rapid, steady strokes

fluty (flu:t´i:) flut´i·er, flut´i·est •adj. flutelike in tone; soft, clear, and high-pitched

fluvial (flu:´vi: эl) •adj. of, found in, or produced by a river Also flu´vi·a·tile (-э til) [ME < L fluvialis < fluvius, a river < fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

fluvio- (flu:´vi: ou, -э) combining form 1 by the combined action of a river and {fluvioglacial} 2 of a river, stream, etc. {fluviology} [< L fluvius: see FLUVIAL]

flux (flûks) •n. 1 a flowing or flow 2 the rate of flow of water, as the tide or current, through a defined area 3 a continuous movement or continual change {fashion is always in a state of flux} 4 any excessive or unnatural discharge of fluid body matter, esp. from the bowels 5 a) a substance, as borax or rosin, used to help metals fuse together by preventing oxidation, as in soldering b) a substance used to aid in the extraction of a furnace charge because of its ability to fuse with undesired matter in forming a more liquid slag 6 Physics the rate of flow of energy, fluids, etc. across a surface •vt. 1 to make fluid 2 to fuse (metals) by melting •vi. [Archaic] to flow or stream out [ME < OFr < L fluxus, a flowing, flow < pp. of fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

flux density the FLUX (n. 6) through a unit of surface area

flux gate an instrument used to measure the force and direction of the earth's magnetic field

fluxion (flûk´shэn) •n. 1 something that flows; esp., an abnormal flow of body fluids; discharge 2 [Archaic] Math. a) the rate of continuous change in variable quantities b) DERIVATIVE (sense 4) flux´ion·al or flux´ion·ar'y •adj. [Fr < VL fluxio, for L fluctio, a flowing < pp. of fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]

Fly (flai) river in S New Guinea, flowing through Papua New Guinea into the Coral Sea: c. 650 mi. (1,050 km)

fly agaric a poisonous mushroom (Amanita muscaria) usually having an orange or russet cap with white flakes and white gills Also fly amanita [orig. used as a fly poison]

fly ash airborne bits of unburnable ash, esp. as a factor in air pollution

fly book a booklike case to hold artificial fishing flies

fly sheet a pamphlet [< earlier flying sheet]

fly¹ (flai) flew •vi. or, for vi. 10, flied, flown or, for vi. 10, flied, fly´ing 1 to move through the air; specif., a) to move through the air by using wings, as a bird b) to travel through the air in an aircraft or through space in a spacecraft c) to be propelled through the air, as a bullet 2 to operate an aircraft or spacecraft 3 to wave or float in the air, as a flag or kite 4 to move swiftly {the door flew open} 5 to appear to pass swiftly {time flies} 6 to be used up swiftly: said of money, etc. 7 to run away; flee 8 [Colloq.] to be successful, acceptable, etc. {that explanation just won't fly} 9 to hunt with a hawk 10 Baseball to hit a fly •vt. 1 a) to cause to float in the air {fly a kite} b) to display (a flag) as from a pole 2 to operate (an aircraft or spacecraft) 3 a) to travel over in an aircraft b) to travel via (a particular airline, aircraft, etc.) 4 to carry or transport in an aircraft 5 to run away from; flee from; avoid 6 to use (a hawk) to hunt game 7 Theater to suspend (flats, lights, etc.) in the space above the stage •n. pl. flies 1 [Rare] the act of flying; flight 2 a) a garment closure concealing the zipper, buttons, etc. by a fold or flap of cloth, esp. such a closure in the front of a pair of trousers (in full fly front) b) such a fold or flap 3 a) a flap serving as the door of a tent b) a piece of fabric serving as an outer or second top on a tent 4 a) the length of an extended flag measured from the staff outward b) the outside edge of a flag 5 a regulating device, as for a clockwork mechanism, consisting of vanes radiating from a rotating shaft 6 a) FLYWHEEL b) FLYLEAF 7 [Brit.] a hackney carriage 8 Baseball a ball batted high in the air, esp. within the foul lines 9 [pl.] Theater the space behind and above the proscenium arch, containing overhead lights, raised flats, etc. fly at to attack suddenly by or as by flying or springing toward fly into to have a violent outburst of {fly into a rage} fly off to go away quickly or suddenly; hurry off Æ fly out pt. & pp. flied Baseball to be put out by hitting a fly that is caught by a fielder let fly (at) 1 to shoot or throw (at) 2 to direct a verbal attack (at) on the fly 1 while in flight 2 [Colloq.] while in a hurry [ME flien, flegen < OE fleogan, akin to MDu vlegen, Ger fliegen < IE *pleuk- < base *pleu-: see FLOW]

fly² (flai) pl. flies •n. 1 a) any dipterous insect; esp., the housefly b) any of several four-winged insects from various orders, as the mayfly or caddis fly 2 a hook covered with feathers, colored silk, etc. to resemble an insect, used as a lure in fishing: a wet fly drifts below the surface of the water, and a dry fly floats on it 3 Printing a device on a flatbed press for removing and stacking the printed sheets fly in the ointment anything, esp. a little thing, that reduces or destroys the value or usefulness of something else [ME flie < OE fleoge (akin to Ger fliege) < base fleogan: see FLY1]

fly³ (flai) fli´er, fli´est •adj. 1 [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] alert and knowing; sharp; quick 2 [Slang, Chiefly Black] fashionable, stylish, attractive, etc. [orig., thieves' slang < ? FLY¹]

flyable (flai´э bэl) •adj. suitable or ready for flying {flyable weather, a flyable airplane}

flyaway (flai´э wei') •adj. 1 loose and streaming as if blown by the wind {flyaway hair} 2 flighty 3 ready for flight

flyblow (flai´blou') •n. a blowfly's egg or larva •vt., vi. -blew', -blown', -blow'ing 1 to deposit flyblows in (meat, etc.) 2 to contaminate; spoil; taint

flyblown (flai´bloun') •adj. 1 full of flies' eggs or larvae; maggoty 2 contaminated; spoiled; tainted 3 [Colloq.] shabby, dingy, disreputable, etc.

flyboy (flai´boi') •n. [Slang] an aviator, esp. in the Air Force

flyby or fly-by (flai´bai') pl. -bys' •n. a flight past a designated point or place by an aircraft or spacecraft

fly-by-night (-bai nait') •adj. not trustworthy; esp., financially irresponsible •n. a fly-by-night person; esp., a debtor who runs away to escape debts

fly-by-wire (-wair') •adj. designating or of a control system for an airplane or spacecraft, in which the controls are actuated by electrical impulses, as from a computer

fly-cast (flai´kæst') -cast', -cast'ing •vt. to fish by casting artificial flies, using a lightweight, resilient rod

flycatcher (flai´kæch'эr) •n. 1 any of an Old World family (Muscicapidae) of small passerine birds that catch insects in flight 2 TYRANT FLYCATCHER

flyer (flai´эr) •n. alt. sp. of FLIER

fly-fishing (flai´fish'iŋ) •n. the act, technique, or an instance of fly-casting

flying (flai´iŋ) •adj. 1 that flies or can fly 2 moving as if flying; moving swiftly; fast 3 like flight through the air 4 hasty and brief {a flying trip} 5 of or for aircraft or aviators 6 organized to act quickly, as in an emergency {a flying squad} •n. the action of a person or thing that flies

flying boat an airplane with a hull that permits it to land on and take off from water

flying bridge Naut. a small, often open structure over the main bridge, from which a vessel may be conned

flying buttress a buttress connected with a wall at some distance from it by an arch or part of an arch: it serves to resist outward pressure

flying colors flags flying in the air with flying colors with notable victory or success

Flying Dutchman 1 a fabled Dutch sailor condemned to sail the seas off the Cape of Good Hope until Judgment Day 2 his ghostly ship, considered a bad omen by sailors who think they see it

flying field a field prepared for the landing, taking off, and minor servicing of smaller aircraft

flying fish any of a family (Exocoetidae, order Atheriniformes) of chiefly warm-water, marine bony fishes with winglike pectoral fins that enable them to glide through the air

flying fox any of a genus (Pteropus, family Pteropodidae) of fruit bats with a foxlike head, living in Africa, Australia, and S Asia

flying frog any of several tree frogs (esp., genus Rhacophorus) of the East Indies that have large webbed feet which permit them to make long, gliding leaps

flying gurnard any of an order (Dactylopteriformes) of marine bony fishes with winglike pectoral fins, capable of gliding in the air for short distances

flying jib a small, triangular sail in front of the jib, usually on an extension of the jib boom or bowsprit

flying lemur any of an order (Dermoptera) of tree-dwelling mammals of SE Asia, having a broad fold of skin on each side of the body between the forelimbs and the tail, that enables it to make long, gliding leaps

flying machine early term for an airplane or other aircraft

flying mare a throw made in exhibition wrestling by seizing the opponent's wrist, turning, and throwing the opponent over one's back

flying phalanger any of several phalangers (family Petauridae) with a thin membrane along the sides of the body that enables them to make long, gliding leaps

flying saucer a UFO, esp. when thought to be a spacecraft from another planet

flying squad [Colloq.] a small, select team trained and equipped to take action quickly as in an emergency

flying squirrel 1 any of a number of squirrels (esp. genus Glaucomys) with winglike folds of skin attached to the legs and body, which enable them to make long, gliding leaps 2 FLYING PHALANGER

flying start 1 the start of a race in which the contestants are already moving as they pass the starting line 2 any rapid beginning

flyleaf (flai´li:f') pl. -leaves' (-li:vz') •n. a blank leaf at the beginning or end of a book, usually the free half of an endpaper

flyoff (flai´öf') •n. a competitive program for testing various engineering models, as, esp., of military aircraft or missiles, to determine which design will be awarded a production contract

flyover (flai´ou'vэr) •n. 1 [Brit.] an overpass or cloverleaf 2 a flight by one or more aircraft over a particular area or point

flypaper (flai´pei'pэr) •n. a sticky or poisonous paper set out to catch or kill flies

flyspeck (flai´spek') •n. 1 a speck of excrement left by a fly 2 any tiny spot 3 a petty or insignificant error or flaw •vt. to make flyspecks on

flyting (flait´iŋ) •n. a formalized exchange of taunts, insults, etc., as between warriors in Old English epics [< flyte, flite, to contend, strive < OE flītan; akin to MHG vlīzen, to quarrel, Ger fleiss, diligence]

flytrap (flai´træp') •n. 1 any device for catching flies 2 a plant that catches insects, as the Venus' flytrap

flyway (flai´wei') •n. a flying route taken regularly by migratory birds going to and from their breeding grounds

flyweight (flai´weit') •n. a boxer between a junior flyweight and a bantamweight, with a maximum weight of 112 pounds (50.81 kg) •adj. of flyweights

flywheel (flai´hwi:l') •n. a heavy wheel for regulating the speed and uniformity of motion of the machine to which it is attached

Fm Chem. symbol for fermium FM frequency modulation fm fathom(s)

FMB Federal Maritime Board

FMC Federal Maritime Commission

FMCS Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

FmHA Farmers Home Administration

fn footnote FN U.S. Navy fireman

FNMA see FANNIE MAE

FNS Food and Nutrition Service

f-number (ef´nûm'bэr) •n. Photog. a number that represents the relative aperture of a lens, equal to the focal length divided by the effective diameter of the lens aperture: a higher number indicates a smaller opening

FO Foreign Office

foal (foul) •n. a young horse, mule, donkey, etc.; colt or filly •vt., vi. to give birth to (a foal) [ME fole < OE fola, akin to ON foli, OHG folo (Ger fohlen) < IE base *pōu-, little, small > FEW, FILLY, L paucus, little]

foam (foum) •n. 1 the whitish mass of bubbles formed on or in liquids by agitation, fermentation, etc. 2 something like foam, as the heavy sweat of horses, or frothy saliva 3 [Old Poet.] the sea 4 a rigid or spongy cellular mass formed by the dispersal of gas bubbles in liquid rubber, plastic, etc. •vi. to form, produce, or gather foam; froth •vt. to cause to foam foam at the mouth to be very angry; rage foam´less •adj. [ME fom < OE fam, akin to Ger feim, scum < IE base *(s)poimno-, foam > Sans phĕna-, L spuma]

foam rubber rubber that has been treated to form a firm, spongy foam, used in upholstered seats, mattresses, etc.

foamflower (-flau'эr) •n. a small plant (Tiarella cordifolia) of the saxifrage family, with white flowers that bloom in the spring, found in E North America

foamy (foum´i:) foam´i·er, foam´i·est •adj. 1 foaming or covered with foam 2 consisting of or like foam foam´i·ly •adv. foam´i·ness •n. [ME fomi < OE famig]

FOB or fob abbrev. free on board

fob¹ (fäb) •n. 1 a small pocket in the front of a pair of trousers, for carrying a watch, etc.; watch pocket Æ 2 a short ribbon or chain attached to a watch and hanging out of such a pocket Æ 3 any ornament worn at the end of such a ribbon or chain [prob. < dial. Ger fuppe, a pocket]

fob² (fäb) fobbed, fob´bing •vt. [Obs.] to cheat; trick; deceive fob off 1 to trick or put off (a person) with second-rate articles, lies, excuses, etc. 2 to get rid of (something worthless) by deceit or trickery; palm off [< ME fobben, to cheat, trick, prob. akin to Ger foppen, orig. a cant term]

focal (fou´kэl) •adj. of or at a focus fo´cal·ly •adv.

focal infection a localized infection, as in the gallbladder, teeth, or tonsils, which may spread to other parts of the body through the blood

focal length the distance from the optical center of a lens or curved mirror to the point where light rays from a very distant object converge Also focal distance

focalize (fou´kэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. 1 to adjust or become adjusted to a focus 2 Med. to limit or be limited to a small area; localize: said of an infection fo'cal·i·za´tion •n.

Foch (fôsh), Fer·di·nand (feř di: näñ´) 1851-1929; Fr. marshal: commander in chief of Allied forces (1918)

fo'c'sle or fo'c's'le (fouk´sªl) •n. phonetic sp. of FORECASTLE

focus (fou´kэs) pl. fo´cus·es or fo´ci' (-sai') •n. 1 the point where rays of light, heat, etc. or waves of sound come together, or from which they spread or seem to spread; specif., the point where rays of light reflected by a mirror or refracted by a lens meet (called real focus) or the point where they would meet if prolonged backward through the lens or mirror (called virtual focus) 2 FOCAL LENGTH 3 an adjustment of the focal length to make a clear image {to bring a camera into focus} 4 any center of activity, attention, etc. 5 a part of the body where a disease process, as an infection, tumor, etc., is localized or most active 6 the starting point of an earthquake 7 Math. a) either of the two fixed points used in determining an ellipse b) any analogous point for a parabola or hyperbola (see ECCENTRICITY, sense 3) •vt. -cused or -cussed, -cus·ing or -cus·sing 1 to bring into focus 2 to adjust the focal length of (the eye, a lens, etc.) in order to produce a clear image 3 to fix or settle on one thing; concentrate {to focus one's attention on a question} •vi. 1 to meet at a focus 2 to adjust one's eye or a lens so as to make a clear image in focus clear; distinct; sharply defined out of focus indistinct; blurred; not sharply defined fo´cus·er •n. [ModL, adopted in math. senses by Johannes KEPLER (1604) < L, fireplace, hearth < ? IE base *bhok-, to flame, burn > ? Arm boc, flame]

fodder (fäd´эr) •n. coarse food for cattle, horses, sheep, etc., as cornstalks, hay, and straw •vt. to feed with fodder [ME < OE fodor (akin to Ger futter) < base of foda, FOOD]

FOE Fraternal Order of Eagles foe (fou) •n. ENEMY (in all senses) [ME fo, ifo < OE fah, hostile, (ge)fah, enemy, akin to OHG gefēh, at feud, hostile: for IE base see FEUD¹]

foehn (fein; Ger fën) •n. a warm, dry wind blowing down into the valleys of a mountain, esp. in the Alps [Ger dial. föhn < MHG phönne < OHG fonno < LL *faunjo < L Favonius, west wind: see FAVONIAN]

foeman (fou´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. [Archaic] an enemy in war; foe [ME foman < OE fahmann, lit., hostile person]

foeti- (fi:t´i, -э) combining form alt. sp. of FETI- Also foe·to- (fi:t´ou, -э)

foetid (fet´id; also fi:t´-) •adj. alt. sp. of FETID

foetus (fi:t´эs) •n. alt. sp. of FETUS foe´tal •adj.

fog bank a dense mass of fog as seen from a distance, usually at sea

fog¹ (fög, fäg) •n. 1 a large mass of water vapor condensed to fine particles, at or just above the earth's surface; thick, obscuring mist 2 a similar mass of smoke, dust, etc. obscuring the atmosphere 3 a vaporized liquid, as insecticide, dispersed over a large area 4 a state of mental dimness and confusion; blurred, bewildered state 5 a grayish area on a photograph or film •vi. fogged, fog´ging 1 to become surrounded or covered by fog 2 to be or become blurred, dimmed, or obscured •vt. 1 to surround or cover with fog 2 to blur; dim; obscure 3 to confuse; bewilder 4 [Slang] to hurl (a baseball, etc.) 5 to make (a photograph, etc.) grayish in certain areas SYN. MIST Etymology [prob. < Scand, as in ON fok, Dan (sne)fog, driving snow, Norw dial. fuka, sea mist < IE base *pū-, to puff up, blow, of echoic orig.]

fog² (fög, fäg) •n. 1 a new growth of grass after cutting or grazing 2 long, rank grass left uncut or left standing 3 [Scot.] moss [ME fogge, prob. < Scand as in Norw dial. fogg, long grass in moist place, akin to Ger feucht, damp: see FEN¹]

fogbound (-baund') •adj. 1 surrounded or covered by fog 2 prevented from sailing, flying, etc. because of fog

fogbow (-bou') •n. a phenomenon like a white or slightly tinted rainbow, sometimes seen in a fog

fogdog (-dög') •n. a bright spot sometimes seen at the horizon as a fog starts to dissipate

fogey (fou´gi:) pl. -geys •n. FOGY

Foggia (fôd´jä) commune in Apulia, SE Italy: pop. 157,000

foggy (fög´i:, fäg´-) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 full of fog; misty; murky 2 dim; blurred; clouded 3 confused; perplexed fog´gi·ly •adv. fog´gi·ness •n.

Foggy Bottom [Colloq.] the U.S. State Department: often used with humorous reference to vague language used in official statements [after the orig. name given to the swampland on which U.S. State Department offices were built]

foghorn (fög´hörn', fäg´-) •n. 1 a horn on a ship, lighthouse, buoy, etc. sounded as a warning during a fog 2 a loud, strident voice

fogy (fou´gi:) pl. -gies •n. a person who is old-fashioned or highly conservative in ideas and actions: usually used with old fo´gy·ish •adj. fo´gy·ism' •n. [< ?]

foh (fö) •interj. FAUGH

foible (foi´bэl) •n. 1 a small weakness; slight frailty in character 2 the weakest part of a sword blade, from the middle to the point: cf. FORTE¹ (sense 1) SYN. FAULT [obs. var. of Fr faible: see FEEBLE]

foil¹ (foil) •vt. 1 to keep from being successful; thwart; frustrate 2 Hunting to make ( a scent, trail, etc.) confused, as by recrossing, in order to balk the pursuers •n. 1 [Archaic] the scent or trail of an animal 2 [Archaic] a thwarting SYN. FRUSTRATE [ME foilen < OFr fuler, to trample on, subdue: see FULL²]

foil² (foil) •n. 1 a leaflike, rounded space or design between cusps or in windows, etc., as in Gothic architecture 2 a very thin sheet or leaf of metal 3 the metal coating on the back of a mirror 4 a thin leaf of polished metal placed under an inferior or artificial gem to give it brilliance 5 a person or thing that sets off or enhances another by contrast •vt. 1 to cover or back with foil 2 [Rare] to serve as a contrast to 3 to decorate (windows, etc.) with foils [ME < OFr fuil (Fr feuille), a leaf < L folia < folium, leaf: see FOLIATE]

foil³ (foil) •n. 1 a long, thin fencing sword with a button on the point to prevent injury: see SWORD, illus. 2 [pl.] the art or sport of fencing with foils [< ?]

foilsman (foilz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) a fencer who uses a FOIL³ (sense 1) •n.

foin (foin) •vi., n. [Archaic] lunge or thrust, as in fencing [ME foinen < foin, a thrust, stab < OFr foisne, fish spear < L fuscina, a trident]

foison (foi´zэn) •n. 1 [Archaic] a plentiful crop; good harvest; plenty 2 [Now Dial.] a) vitality; strength; ability b) [pl.] resources [ME foisoun < OFr foison, fuison < L fusio, a pouring: see FUSION]

foist (foist) •vt. 1 to put in slyly or surreptitiously, as a clause into a contract 2 to get (a thing) accepted, sold, etc. by fraud, deception, etc.; palm off: with on or upon [prob. < dial. Du vuisten, to hold in the hand; hence, in dicing, to hide or palm in the hand < vuist, a fist, akin to FIST]

Fokine (fô ki:n´), Mi·chel (mi: shel´) (born Mikhail Mikhailovich Fokin) 1880-1942; U.S. choreographer, born in Russia

Fokker (fäk´эr), Anthony Herman Gerard 1890-1939; U.S. aircraft designer, born in Dutch East Indies: built airplanes for Germany & the Netherlands, 1911-21

fol 1 folio(s) 2 following

folacin (fou´lэ sin) •n. FOLIC ACID [FOL(IC) AC(ID) + -IN¹]

-fold (fould) suffix 1 forming adjectives having (a specified number of) parts {a tenfold division} 2 forming adjectives and adverbs (a specified number of) times as many, as much, as large {to profit tenfold} [ME -fold, -fald < OE -feald: see FOLD¹]

fold¹ (fould) •vt. 1 a) to bend or press (something) so that one part is over another; double up on itself {to fold a sheet} b) to make more compact by so doubling a number of times 2 to draw together and intertwine {to fold the arms} 3 to draw (wings) close to the body 4 to clasp in the arms; embrace 5 to wrap up; envelop •vi. 1 to be or become folded Æ 2 [Colloq.] to fail; specif., a) to be forced to close, as a business, play, etc. b) to succumb, as to exhaustion; collapse •n. 1 a folded part or layer 2 a mark made by folding 3 a hollow or crease produced by folded parts or layers 4 [Brit.] a hollow; small valley 5 Geol. a rock layer folded by pressure fold in Cooking to blend (an ingredient) into a mixture, using gentle, cutting strokes [ME folden < OE faldan (WS fealdan), akin to Ger falten < IE *pel-to < base *pel-, to fold > (SIM)PLE, (TRI)PLE]

fold² (fould) •n. 1 a pen in which to keep sheep 2 sheep kept together; flock of sheep 3 a group or organization with common interests, aims, faith, etc., as a church •vt. to keep or confine in a pen [ME < OE fald, akin to Du vaalt, enclosed place, Dan fold, sheep pen]

foldaway (fould´э wei') •adj. that can be folded together for easy storage {a foldaway cot}

foldboat (fould´bout') •n. a lightweight, collapsible, folding kayak

folder (foul´dэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that folds 2 a sheet of cardboard or heavy paper folded for holding loose papers, as in a file Æ 3 a circular with one or more folds, each section of which is a separate printed page

folderol (fäl´dэ räl') •n. 1 a showy but worthless trinket 2 mere nonsense

folding door a door with hinged leaves or accordion pleats that can be folded back

folding money [Colloq.] PAPER MONEY

foldout •n. GATEFOLD

folia (fou´li: э) •n. alt. pl. of FOLIUM

foliaceous (fou'li: ei´shэs) •adj. 1 of or like the leaf of a plant 2 having leaves 3 consisting of thin layers, as certain rocks [L foliaceus < folium, a leaf: see FOLIATE]

foliage (fou´li: ij') •n. 1 leaves, as of a plant or tree; mass of leaves; leafage 2 a decoration consisting of a representation of leaves, branches, flowers, etc. [ME foilage < OFr feuillage < feuille, a leaf < L folia < folium: see FOLIATE]

foliaged (-ijd') •adj. having foliage: often in hyphenated compounds {dark-foliaged}

foliar (fou´li: эr) •adj. of or like a leaf or leaves [ModL foliaris < L folium: see FOLIATE]

foliate (fou´li: eit'; for adj., usually, -it) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 a) to divide into thin layers b) to beat into foil 2 to decorate with leaflike layers or ornamentation 3 to number the leaves of (a book or manuscript) •vi. 1 to separate into layers 2 to send out leaves •adj. 1 having or covered with leaves 2 like a leaf or leaves [< L foliatus, leafy < folium, a leaf < IE base *bhel-, *bhlō-, to swell, blossom > BLADE, BLOOM¹]

foliation (fou'li: ei´shэn) •n. 1 a growing of or developing into a leaf or leaves; leaf formation 2 the state of being in leaf 3 the way leaves are arranged in the bud; vernation 4 the act or process of beating metal into layers 5 a) a splitting into leaflike layers (said of certain minerals) b) the property of splitting into such layers c) such layers 6 the process of backing glass as with metal foil to make a mirror 7 the consecutive numbering of leaves, rather than pages, of a book 8 a) a decorating with leaflike ornamentation b) a leaflike decoration consisting of small arcs or foils [ML foliatio: see FOLIATE]

folic acid (fou´lik) a crystalline substance, C19H19N7O6, found in green leaves and in certain other plant and animal tissues, exhibiting vitamin B activity: used in medicine, esp. for treating certain anemias [< L folium, a leaf (see FOLIATE) + -IC]

folie à deux (fô li: å dö´) Psychiatry a condition in which two closely associated people who are mentally ill share the same delusional beliefs [Fr, lit., double insanity]

folie de grandeur (dэ gřäñ dëř´) delusions of grandeur; megalomania [Fr]

foliicolous (fou'li: ik´э lэs) •adj. growing on leaves, as certain lichens, fungi, and algae [folii- (< L folium, leaf: see FOLIATE) + -COLOUS]

folinic acid (fou lin´ik) the active substance, C20H23N7O7, into which folic acid is converted in body tissue [FOL(IC ACID) + -IN¹ + -IC]

folio (fou´li: ou'; also foul´you') pl. -li·os' •n. 1 a large sheet of paper folded once, so that it forms two leaves, or four pages, of a book, manuscript, etc. 2 a large size of book, about 12 by 15 inches, made of sheets folded in this way 3 a leaf of a manuscript, book, etc. numbered on only one side 4 the number of a page in a book, etc. 5 a set number of words (100 in the U.S., 72 or 90 in England) considered as a unit of measuring the length of a legal or official document 6 Bookkeeping a page of a ledger, or facing pages with the same number •adj. having sheets folded once; of the size of a folio •vt. -li·oed', -li·o'ing to number the pages of (a book, etc.) consecutively; page in folio in the form or size of a folio [ME < L (in) folio, (in) a sheet, abl. of folium, a leaf (in LL, leaf of paper): see FOLIATE]

foliolate (fou´li: э lit, -leit'; fou lai´э-) •adj. Bot. having or relating to leaflets [< foliole, a leaflet (< Fr < L foliolum, dim. of L folium, leaf: see FOLIATE) + -ATE¹]

foliose (fou´li: ous') •adj. covered with leaves; leafy [L foliosus, leafy < folium, a leaf: see FOLIATE]

-folious (fou´li: эs) combining form having (a specified number or kind of) leaves [< L folium, a leaf + -OUS]

folium (fou´li: эm) pl. -li·ums or -li·a (-э) •n. 1 Geol. a thin layer of stratum, as in metamorphic rock 2 Geom. the looping, closed part of a curve extending from a node [L: see FOLIATE]

folk (fouk) pl. folk or folks •n. 1 a) a people, tribe, or nation; ethnic group b) the large body of the common people of such a group (with the) 2 [pl.] people in general; persons {folks differ in their tastes} •adj. of, originating among, or having to do with the common people, who transmit the general culture of the group through succeeding generations {folk art} just (plain) folks [Colloq.] simple and unassuming; not snobbish one's (or the) folks [Colloq.] one's family or relatives, esp. one's parents [ME < OE folc, akin to Ger volk < Gmc *fulca-, army, group of warriors < ?]

folk dance 1 a traditional dance of the common people of a country or region 2 music for this

folk etymology unscientific etymology; popular but incorrect notion of the origin and derivation of a word: folk etymology may bring about change, as in the case of cole slaw becoming cold slaw

folk medicine the treatment of disease as practiced traditionally among the common people, involving esp. the use of herbs and other natural substances

folk music 1 traditional music made and handed down among the common people 2 music composed in the style of this

folk song 1 a song made and handed down among the common people: folk songs are usually of anonymous authorship and often have many versions 2 a song composed in the style of such a traditional song folk singer [calque of Ger volkslied, loan transl. (by Johann Gottfried von Herder, 1771) of E popular song]

folk tale (or story) a story, usually of anonymous authorship and containing legendary elements, made and handed down orally among the common people

Folketing or Folkething (foul´kэ tiŋ') •n. 1 orig., the lower branch of the Danish legislature 2 now, the unicameral legislature of Denmark [Dan < folke, people (see FOLK) + ting, thing, assembly (see THING)]

folkie (fouk´i:) •n. [Colloq.] a performer or devotee of folk music or folk songs

folklore (fouk´lör') •n. 1 all of the unwritten traditional beliefs, legends, sayings, customs, etc. of a culture 2 the study and scientific investigation of these folk´lor'ic •adj. folk´lor'ist •n. folk'lor·is´tic •adj. [FOLK + LORE¹: suggested (1846) by W. J. Thoms (1803-85), Eng antiquary, to replace earlier popular antiquities]

folkmoot (-mu:t') •n. [Historical] a general meeting of the people of a town, shire, etc. Also folk´mote' (-mout') [OE folcmot, fologemot: see FOLK & MOOT]

folk-rock (-räk') •n. music with a rhythmic rock-and-roll beat combined with words in folk-song style

folksy (-si:) -si·er, -si·est •adj. [Colloq.] friendly or sociable in a simple, direct manner: sometimes used in a derogatory way of affected or exaggerated familiarity folk´si·ly •adv. folk´si·ness •n.

folkway (-wei') •n. any way of thinking, feeling, behaving, etc. common to members of the same social group: see MORES [first used (1906) by William Graham SUMNER]

follicle (fäl´i kэl) •n. 1 Anat. a) any small sac, cavity, or gland for excretion or secretion {a hair follicle} b) [Obs.] a lymph nodule 2 Bot. a dry seed pod with a single cavity, that splits open along only one seam to release its seeds, as a milkweed pod fol·lic·u·lar (fэ lik´yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. fol·lic´u·late (-lit, -leit') or fol·lic´u·lat'ed •adj. [ModL folliculus < L, a small bag, husk, pod, dim. of follis, bellows < IE base *bhel-, to blow up, swell > BALL¹, BULL¹]

follicle mite any of a genus (Demodex) of small, wormlike mites living as parasites in the hair follicles of mammals; esp., a species (D. folliculorum) that infests humans

follicle-stimulating hormone (fäl´i kэl stim´yu: leit'iŋ) a hormone, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which stimulates the development of ova in the female and testicular function in the male: abbrev. FSH

folliculin (fэ lik´yu: lin, -yэ-) •n. ESTRONE

follies (fäl´i:z') •n.pl. Æ [with sing. v.] a revue: usually used as part of the title [pl. of FOLLY]

follow (fäl´ou) •vt. 1 to come or go after 2 to go after in order to catch; chase; pursue 3 to go along {follow the right road} 4 to come or occur after in time, in a series, etc. 5 to provide with something that comes after {to follow praise with blame} 6 to take the place of in rank, position, etc. {Monroe followed Madison as president} 7 to take up; engage in {to follow a trade} 8 to come or happen as a result of {disease often follows malnutrition} 9 to take as a model; act in accordance with; imitate 10 to accept the authority of; obey {to follow rules} 11 to support or advocate the ideas, opinions, etc. of 12 to watch or listen to closely; observe {to follow a conversation intently} 13 to be interested in or attentive to current developments in {to follow local politics} 14 to understand the continuity or logic of {do you follow me?} •vi. 1 to come, go, or happen after or next after some thing or person in place, sequence, or time 2 to occur as a natural or logical consequence; result •n. 1 the act of following 2 Billiards a shot that imparts a forward spin to the cue ball so that it continues rolling in the same direction after striking the object ball: also follow shot as follows as will next be told or explained follow out to carry out fully or completely follow through 1 to continue and complete a stroke or swing after hitting or releasing the ball or puck 2 to continue and complete an action follow up 1 to follow closely and persistently 2 to carry out fully 3 to add to the effectiveness of by doing something more SYN.—follow is the general word meaning to come or occur after, but it does not necessarily imply a causal relationship with what goes before [sunshine followed by rain]; ensue implies that what follows comes as a logical consequence of what preceded [clouds appeared and rain ensued]; succeed implies that what follows takes the place of what preceded [who succeeded Polk to the presidency?]; result stresses a definite relationship of cause and effect between what follows and what preceded [superstition results from ignorance] —ANT. precede [ME folwen < OE folgian, akin to Ger folgen & (?) Welsh olafiad, follower]

follower (fäl´ou эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that follows; specif., a) a person who follows another's beliefs or teachings; disciple b) a servant or attendant 2 a gear or part of a machine that is given motion by another part, esp. the last driven part SYN.—follower is the general term for one who follows or believes in the teachings or theories of someone [a follower of Freud]; supporter applies to one who upholds or defends opinions or theories that are disputed or under attack [a supporter of technocracy]; adherent refers to a close, active follower of some theory, cause, etc. [the adherents of a political party]; disciple implies a personal, devoted relationship to the teacher of some doctrine or leader of some movement [Plato was a disciple of Socrates]; partisan, in this connection, refers to an unswerving, often blindly devoted, adherent of some person or cause [ME folwere < OE folgere]

followership (-ship') •n. the ability to follow a leader

following (fäl´ou iŋ) •adj. 1 that follows; next after {the following year} 2 to be mentioned immediately; to be dealt with next {the following people were chosen} 3 moving in the same direction that a ship is moving: said of the tide or wind •n. a group of followers or adherents •prep. after {following lunch he left} the following 1 the one or ones to be mentioned immediately 2 what follows

follow-through (fäl´ou θru:') •n. 1 a) the act or manner of continuing the swing or stroke of a club, a racket, the arm, etc. to its natural end after striking or releasing the ball, puck, etc. b) this final part of the stroke 2 the continuing of a process, activity, etc. to completion

follow-up (-ûp') •adj. designating or of anything that follows something else as a review, addition, etc. {follow-up examinations, a follow-up letter} •n. 1 a follow-up thing or event 2 the use of follow-up letters, visits, etc. 3 a following up

folly (fäl´i:) pl. -lies •n. 1 a lack of understanding, sense, or rational conduct; foolishness 2 any foolish action or belief 3 any foolish and useless but expensive undertaking 4 a) [Obs.] wickedness or evil; also, lewdness b) action that ends or can end in disaster See also FOLLIES [ME folie < OFr < fol: see FOOL¹]

Folsom (foul´sэm) •adj. of or having to do with a North American culture of the late Pleistocene Epoch characterized by the use of stone spearheads with fluted sides [after Folsom, village in New Mexico, where such spearheads have been found]