Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FLAT, a. [D. plat; G. platt; Dan. flad; Sw. flat; Fr. plat; Arm. blad, or pladt; It. piatto; from extending or laying. Allied probably to W. llez, llêd, llyd; L. latus, broad; Gr. πλατυς; Eng. blade.]

1. Having an even surface, without risings or indentures, hills or valleys; as, flat land.
2. Horizontal; level without inclination; a flat roof; or with a moderate inclination or slope; for we often apply the word to the roof of a house that is not steep, though inclined.
3. Prostrate; lying the whole length on the ground. He fell or lay flat on the ground.
4. Not elevated or erect; fallen. Cease t' admire, and beauty's plumes / Fall flat. Milton.
5. Level with the ground; totally fallen. What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat. Milton.
6. In painting, wanting relief or prominence of the figures.
7. Tasteless; stale; vapid; insipid; dead; as, fruit flat to the taste. Philips.
8. Dull; unanimated; frigid; without point or spirit; applied to discourses and compositions. The sermon was very flat.
9. Depressed; spiritless; dejected. I feel – my hopes all flat. Milton.
10. Unpleasing; not affording gratification. How flat and insipid are all the pleasures of this life!
11. Peremptory; absolute; positive; downright. He gave the petitioner a flat denial. Thus repulsed, our final hope / Is flat despair. Milton.
12. Not sharp or shrill; not acute; as, a flat sound. Bacon.
13. Low, as the prices of goods; or dull, as sales.