flag

¹flag

noun \ˈflag also ˈflāg\

Definition of FLAG

: any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: as

a : iris; especially : a wild iris

b : sweet flag

Origin of FLAG

Middle English flagge reed, rush

First Known Use: 14th century

²flag

noun, often attributive

Definition of FLAG

1

: a usually rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device, or as a decoration

2

a : the tail of some dogs (as a setter or hound); also : the long hair fringing a dog's tail

b : the tail of a deer

3

a : something used like a flag to signal or attract attention

b : one of the cross strokes of a musical note less than a quarter note in value

4

: something represented by a flag: as

a : flagship

b : an admiral functioning in his office of command

c : nationality; especially : the nationality of registration of a ship or aircraft

Origin of FLAG

probably akin to fag end of cloth — more at fag end

First Known Use: 1530

Other Heraldry Terms

blazon, cachet, couchant, dormant, escutcheon, potent, standard, totem

Rhymes with FLAG

ag, bag, brag, crag, dag, drag, fag, gag, hag, jag, lag, mag, nag, quag, rag, sag, scag, scrag, shag, slag, snag, sprag, stag, swag, tag, wag, YAG, zag

³flag

transitive verb

flaggedflag·ging

Definition of FLAG

1

: to signal with or as if with a flag; especially : to signal to stop <flagged the train> —often used with down

2

: to mark or identify with or as if with a flag <flagged potential problems in the proposal>

3

: to call a penalty on : penalize <a lineman flagged for being offside>

First Known Use of FLAG

1856

⁴flag

intransitive verb

flaggedflag·ging

Definition of FLAG

1

: to hang loose without stiffness

2

a : to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless

b : to decline in interest, attraction, or value <flagging stock prices>

Origin of FLAG

probably from ²flag

First Known Use: 1545

⁵flag

noun

Definition of FLAG

: a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving; also : a piece of such stone

Origin of FLAG

Middle English flagge turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga slab; akin to Old English flōh chip

First Known Use: 1604

⁶flag

transitive verb

flaggedflag·ging

Definition of FLAG

: to lay (as a pavement) with flags

First Known Use of FLAG

1615

flag

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Combination of symbols represented on a piece of cloth, serving as a medium of social, typically political, communication. It is usually rectangular and attached by one edge to a staff or is hoisted on a pole with halyards. Flags appear to be as old as civilized human society, though their origin is not well understood. The Chinese may have been the first to develop cloth flags, and it is believed that they were introduced to Europe by returning Crusaders. Most national flags in use today were designed in the 19th and 20th centuries.