flay
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flay

transitive verb \ˈflā\

Definition of FLAY

1
: to strip off the skin or surface of : skin
2
: to criticize harshly : excoriate
3
: lash 1b <the wind whipped up to gale fury, flaying his face — Richard Kent>

Examples of FLAY

  1. <her husband flayed her constantly for her incessant shopping>
  2. <flayed their kill right there in the forest, taking both the meat and the skin home>

Origin of FLAY

Middle English flen, from Old English flēan; akin to Old Norse flā to flay, Lithuanian plėšti to tear
First Known Use: before 12th century

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