First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1flap
noun \ˈflap\
: a flat piece of material that is attached to something on one side and that can be easily moved
: the movement or sound of something that is moving up and down or back and forth
: a state or situation in which many people are excited or upset
Full Definition of FLAP
1
: a stroke with something broad : slap
2
obsolete : something broad and flat used for striking
3
: something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: as a : a piece on a garment that hangs free b : a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover c : a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting d : an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
4
: the motion of something broad and limber (as a sail or wing)
5
: a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag — see airplane illustration
7
: a consonant (as the sound \d\ in ladder and \t\ in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth —called also tap
See flap defined for English-language learners
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Origin of FLAP
Middle English flappe
Related to FLAP
- Synonyms
- agitation, deliriousness, delirium, distraction, fever, feverishness, frenzy, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar
2flap
verb
: to move (something) up and down or back and forth
flappedflap·ping
Full Definition of FLAP
transitive verb
1
: to beat with or as if with a flap
2
: to toss sharply : fling
3
: to move or cause to move in flaps
intransitive verb
1
: to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
2
a : to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings b : to progress by flapping c : to flutter ineffectively
3
: to talk foolishly and persistently
See flap defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FLAP
14th century
FLAPPING Defined for Kids
1flap
noun \ˈflap\
Definition of FLAP for Kids
1
: something broad and flat or flexible that hangs loose <Tape the box flaps closed.>
2
: the motion or sound made by something broad and flexible (as a sail or wing) moving back and forth
3
: an upset or worried state of mind <Don't get in a flap over nothing.>
2flap
verb
flappedflap·ping
Definition of FLAP for Kids
: to move with a beating or fluttering motion <Birds flapped their wings.>
Medical Dictionary
flap
noun \ˈflap\
Medical Definition of FLAP
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
Learn More About FLAP
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