First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1flail
noun \ˈflāl\
: a long-handled tool that was used in the past for beating wheat so that the grain would become separated from the wheat
Full Definition of FLAIL
: a hand threshing implement consisting of a wooden handle at the end of which a stouter and shorter stick is so hung as to swing freely
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Origin of FLAIL
Middle English fleil, flail, partly from Old English *flegel (whence Old English fligel), from Late Latin flagellum flail, from Latin, whip & partly from Anglo-French flael, from Late Latin flagellum — more at flagellate
Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms
Rhymes with FLAIL
2flail
verb
: to move or swing your arms or legs in a wild and uncontrolled way
: to strike or hit (something or someone) in a wild and uncontrolled way
Full Definition of FLAIL
transitive verb
1
a : to strike with or as if with a flail <arms flailing the water> b : to move, swing, or beat as if wielding a flail <flailing a club to drive away the insects>
2
: to thresh (grain) with a flail
intransitive verb
: to move, swing, or beat like a flail
See flail defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FLAIL
15th century
FLAILING Defined for Kids
1flail
verb \ˈflāl\
flailedflail·ing
Definition of FLAIL for Kids
1
: to wave the arms or legs wildly
2
: to swing something with a violent motion
2flail
noun
Definition of FLAIL for Kids
: a tool for threshing grain by hand
Medical Dictionary
flail
adjective \ˈflā(ə)l\
Medical Definition of FLAIL
: exhibiting abnormal mobility and loss of response to normal controls—used of body parts damaged by paralysis, injury, or surgery <flail joint>
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