Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FLA-MIN'GO, n. [Sp. and Port. flamenco, from L. flamma, flame.]

A fowl constituting the genus Phoenicopterus, of the grallic order. The beak is naked, toothed; and bent as if broken; the feet palmated and four-toed. This fowl resembles the heron in shape, but is entirely red, except the quill-feathers. It is a native of Africa and America. Encyc.

FLA-MIN'IC-AL, a.

Pertaining to a Roman flamen.

FLAM-MA-BIL'I-TY, n.

The quality of admitting to be set on fire, or enkindled into a flame or blaze; inflammability. Brown.

FLAM'MA-BLE, a.

Capable of being enkindled into flame.

FLAM-MA'TION, n.

The act of setting on flame. Brown. [The three last words are little used. Instead of them are used the compounds, inflammable, inflammability, inflammation.]

FLAM'ME-OUS, a.

Consisting of flame; like flame. Brown.

FLAM-MIF'ER-OUS, a. [L. flamma and fero, to bring.]

Producing flame.

FLAM-MIV'O-MOUS, a. [L. flamma and vomo, to vomit.]

Vomiting flames, as a volcano.

FLAM-Y, a. [from flame.]

1. Blazing; burning; as flamy breath. Sidney.
2. Having the nature of flame; as flamy matter. Bacon.
3. Having the color of flame. Herbert.

FLANCH, n.

In mechanism, the part of a piece screwed to something else.

FLANGE, n. [Qu. flank, or Fr. frange, fringe, or Gr. φαλαγξ.]

A raised or projecting edge or rib on the rim of a wheel, used in machinery, to keep the band from slipping off; used also on the wheels of cars to prevent them from running off the rails.

FLANK, n. [Fr. flanc; Sp. and Port. flanco; It. fianco; G. flanke; Sw. and Dan. flank; Gr. λαγων; probably connected with lank, W. llac, Eng. flag, Gr. λαγαρος, and so called from its laxity, or from breadth.]

1. The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the ribs and the hip. Hence,
2. The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a brigade, regiment, or battalion. To attack an enemy in flank, is to attack them on the side.
3. In fortification, that part of a bastion which reaches from the curtain to the face, and defends the opposite face, the flank and the curtain; or it is a line drawn from the extremity of the face toward the inside of the work. Harris. Encyc.

FLANK, v.i.

1. To border; to touch. Butler.
2. To be posted on the side.

FLANK, v.t. [Fr. flanquer. Sp. flanquear.]

1. To attack the side or flank of an army or body of troops; or to place troops so as to command or attack the flank.
2. To post so as to overlook or command on the side; as, to flank a passage. Dryden.
3. To secure or guard on the side; as, flanked with rocks. Dryden.
4. To turn the flank; to pass round the side.

FLANK'ED, pp.

Attacked on the side; covered or commanded on the flank.

FLANK'ER, n.

A fortification projecting so as to command the side of an assailing body. Knolles. Fairfax.

FLANK'ER, v.t.

1. To defend by lateral fortifications. Herbert.
2. To attack sideways. Evelyn.

FLANK'ER-ED, pp.

Attacked on the side; defended by lateral works.

FLANK'ER-ING, ppr.

Defending by lateral works; attacking sideways.

FLANK'ING, ppr.

Turning the flank; attacking on the side, or commanding on the flank.

FLAN'NEL, n. [Fr. flanelle; D. and Dan. flanel; G. flanell; W. gwlanen, from gwlan, wool, L. lana, Fr. laine, Ir. olann, Arm. gloan.]

A soft nappy woolen cloth of loose texture.

FLAN'NEL-ED, a.

Covered or wrapped in flannel.

FLAP, n. [G. lappen and klappe; D. lap or klap; Sw. klapp or lapp; Dan. klap or lap; Sax. læppa, a lap; W. llab, a stroke, a whipping; llabiaw, to slap; L. alapa, a slap. There is a numerous family of words in Lb, which spring from striking with something broad, or from a noun denoting something flat and broad. It seems difficult to separate flap from clap, slap, flabby, lap, &c.]

1. Any thing broad and limber that hangs loose, or is easily moved. A cartilaginous flap on the opening of the larynx. Brown. We say, the flap of a garment, the flap of the ear, the flap of a hat.
2. The motion of any thing broad and loose, or a stroke with it.
3. The flaps, a disease in the lips of horses. Farrier's Dict.

FLAP, v.i.

1. To move as wings, or as something broad or loose.
2. To fall, as the brim of a hat, or other broad thing.

FLAP, v.t.

1. To beat with a flap. Yet let me flap this bug with gilded wings. Pope.
2. To move something broad; as, to flap the wings.
3. To let fall, as the brim of a hat. [This sense seems to indicate a connection with lap.]