Main Entry: ¹flesh

Pronunciation: \ˈflesh\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English flǣsc; akin to Old High German fleisk flesh and perhaps to Old English flēan to flay — more at flay

Date: before 12th century

1 a : the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially of a vertebrate; especially : the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from internal organs, bone, and integument b : the condition of having ample fat on the body <cattle in good flesh> c : skin
2 a : edible parts of an animal b : flesh of a mammal or fowl eaten as food
3 a : the physical nature of human beings <the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak — Matthew 26:41(Authorized Version)> b : human nature
4 a : human beings : humankind b : living beings c : stock, kindred
5 : a fleshy plant part used as food; also : the fleshy part of a fruit
6 Christian Science : an illusion that matter has sensation
7 : substance <insights buried in the flesh of the narrative — Jan Carew>

— in the flesh : in person and alive