flesh

¹flesh

noun \ˈflesh\

Definition of FLESH

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

Examples of FLESH

1. the flabby white flesh of his belly
2. a disease that causes sores on the flesh

Origin of FLESH

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FLESH

Synonyms

meat

Related Words

game, poultry, red meat, variety meat

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with FLESH

crèche, flèche, fresh, mesh, thresh

²flesh

verb

Definition of FLESH

transitive verb

1

: to initiate or habituate especially by giving a foretaste

2

archaic : gratify

3

a : to clothe or cover with or as if with flesh; broadly : to give substance to —usually used with out <flesh out a plan>

b : to make fuller or more nearly complete —used with out <museums fleshing out their collections with borrowed works>

4

: to free from flesh

intransitive verb

: to become fleshy —often used with up or out

First Known Use of FLESH

1530

flesh

noun \ˈflesh\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FLESH

: 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 visceral structures, bone, and integuments—see goose bumps, proud flesh

—fleshed \ˈflesht\ (audio pronunciation) adjective