National flag

Flag Flag, n. [Cf. LG. & G. flagge, Sw. flagg, Dan. flag, D. vlag. See {Flag} to hang loose.] 1. That which flags or hangs down loosely. [1913 Webster]

2. A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask information; -- commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag. [1913 Webster]

3. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A group of feathers on the lower part of the legs of certain hawks, owls, etc. (b) A group of elongated wing feathers in certain hawks. (c) The bushy tail of a dog, as of a setter. [1913 Webster]

4. (Zo["o]l.) One of the wing feathers next the body of a bird; -- called also {flag feather}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Black flag}. See under {Black}.

{Flag captain}, {Flag leutenant}, etc., special officers attached to the flagship, as aids to the flag officer.

{Flag officer}, the commander of a fleet or squadron; an admiral, or commodore.

{Flag of truse}, a white flag carried or displayed to an enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose of making some communication not hostile.

{Flag share}, the flag officer's share of prize money.

{Flag station} (Railroad), a station at which trains do not stop unless signaled to do so, by a flag hung out or waved.

{National flag}, a flag of a particular country, on which some national emblem or device, is emblazoned.

{Red flag}, a flag of a red color, displayed as a signal of danger or token of defiance; the emblem of anarchists.

{To dip, the flag}, to mlower it and quickly restore it to its place; -- done as a mark of respect.

{To hang out the white flag}, to ask truce or quarter, or, in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a white flag.

{To hang the flag half-mast high} or {To hang the flag half-staff} or {To hang the flag at half-staff}, to raise it only half way to the mast or staff, as a token or sign of mourning.

{To strike the flag} or {To lower the flag}, to haul it down, in token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender.

{Yellow flag}, the quarantine flag of all nations; also carried at a vessel's fore, to denote that an infectious disease is on board. [1913 Webster]