First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1flesh
noun \ˈflesh\
: the soft parts of the body of an animal or person
: the skin of a person
: parts of an animal used as food
Full Definition of FLESH
1
a : the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially of a vertebrate; especially : the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from internal organs, bone, and integument b : the condition of having ample fat on the body <cattle in good flesh> c : skin
2
a : edible parts of an animal b : flesh of a mammal or fowl eaten as food
3
a : the physical nature of human beings <the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak — Matthew 26:41(Authorized Version)> b : human nature
5
: a fleshy plant part used as food; also : the fleshy part of a fruit
6
Christian Science : an illusion that matter has sensation
7
: substance <insights buried in the flesh of the narrative — Jan Carew>
— in the flesh
: in person and alive
See flesh defined for English-language learners
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Origin of FLESH
Middle English, from Old English flǣsc; akin to Old High German fleisk flesh and perhaps to Old English flēan to flay — more at flay
Related to FLESH
- Synonyms
- meat
Other Anatomy Terms
2flesh
verb
Definition of FLESH
transitive verb
1
: to initiate or habituate especially by giving a foretaste
2
archaic : gratify
3
a : to clothe or cover with or as if with flesh; broadly : to give substance to —usually used with out <flesh out a plan> b : to make fuller or more nearly complete —used with out <museums fleshing out their collections with borrowed works>
4
: to free from flesh
intransitive verb
: to become fleshy —often used with up or out
See flesh defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FLESH
1530
FLESH[1] Defined for Kids
flesh
noun \ˈflesh\
Definition of FLESH for Kids
1
: the soft parts of an animal's or person's body
2
: the part of an animal that is eaten : meat
3
: a soft edible plant part <an apple's white flesh>
Medical Dictionary
flesh
noun \ˈflesh\
Medical Definition of FLESH
: the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially of a vertebrate; especially : the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from visceral structures, bone, and integuments—see goose bumps, proud flesh
—fleshed \ˈflesht\ adjective
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