Definition of flap
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a stroke with something broad : slap
2
obsolete
: something broad and flat used for striking
3
: something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: such as
a
: a piece on a garment that hangs free
b
: a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover
c
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
d
: an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
4
: the motion of something broad and limber (such as a sail or wing)
5
: a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag — see airplane illustration
7
: a consonant (such as the sound \d\ in ladder and \t\ in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth
— called also tap
flap
verb
flapped; flapping
Definition of flap (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to beat with or as if with a flap
2
: to toss sharply : fling
3
: to move or cause to move in flaps
1
: to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
2a
: to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings
b
: to progress by flapping
c
: to flutter ineffectively
3
: to talk foolishly and persistently
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Time Traveler for flap
The first known use of flap was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century