flail

²flail

verb

Definition of FLAIL

transitive verb

1

a : to strike with or as if with a flail <arms flailing the water> b : to move, swing, or beat as if wielding a flail <flailing a club to drive away the insects>

2

: to thresh (grain) with a flail

intransitive verb

: to move, swing, or beat like a flail

Examples of FLAIL

1. They were flailing their arms to drive away the insects.
2. The wounded animal lay on the ground, flailing helplessly.
3. He was wildly flailing about on the dance floor.
4. The bird's wings flailed the water.

First Known Use of FLAIL

15th century

Related to FLAIL

Synonyms: beat, flap, flop, flutter, whip

Related Words: bang, batter, buffet, knock, pound, smack, spank, thump; flick, flicker, flit; fan, oscillate, sway, swing; undulate, wave; palpitate, pulse, throb

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