flail
|flail|
B2
/fleɪl/
wild movement
Etymology
Etymology Information
'flail' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'fligel,' where 'flig' meant 'to fly' and '-el' was a diminutive suffix.
Historical Evolution
'fligel' transformed into the Middle English word 'fleil,' and eventually became the modern English word 'flail'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a tool for threshing,' but over time it evolved to include the action of moving wildly.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a tool used for threshing grain, consisting of a wooden staff with a short heavy stick swinging from it.
The farmer used a flail to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45