flailing
|flail-ing|
B2
/ˈfleɪlɪŋ/
(flail)
wild movement
Etymology
Etymology Information
'flail' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'flaiel', where 'flaiel' meant 'a tool for threshing grain'.
Historical Evolution
'flaiel' transformed into the Middle English word 'flail', and eventually became the modern English word 'flail'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a tool for threshing grain', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'moving or waving about wildly'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
moving or waving about wildly.
The child was flailing his arms in excitement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
struggling to move or obtain control.
She was flailing in the water, trying to stay afloat.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/09 20:32