Flax

Flax
Flax Flax (fl[a^]ks), n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. ? to weave, plait. See {Ply}.] 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Linum}, esp. the {L. usitatissimum}, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed. [1913 Webster]

2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing. [1913 Webster]

{Earth flax} (Min.), amianthus.

{Flax brake}, a machine for removing the woody portion of flax from the fibrous.

{Flax comb}, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle.

{Flax cotton}, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in bicarbonate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared for bleaching and spinning like cotton. --Knight.

{Flax dresser}, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares it for the spinner.

{Flax mill}, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen manufactured.

{Flax puller}, a machine for pulling flax plants in the field.

{Flax wench}. (a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.] (b) A prostitute. [Obs.] --Shak.

{Mountain flax} (Min.), amianthus.

{New Zealand flax} (Bot.) See {Flax-plant}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • FLAX — (Heb. פִּשְׁתָּה, pishtah, in the Bible; פִּשְׁתָּן, pishtan, in talmudic literature), plant cultivated in Ereẓ Israel. It is mentioned only once in the Bible. The stalks of flax mentioned   in Joshua 2:6 are undressed flax fibers. Evidence of… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • flax — s.n. Ţesut conjunctiv elastic format din tendoane, cartilaje, cordoane neurovasculare etc., care se elimină din carne la prepararea conservelor de carne şi a mezelurilor. – Din germ. Flechse. Trimis de LauraGellner, 12.05.2004. Sursa: DEX 98 … …   Dicționar Român

  • flax — flax; Flax·e·dil; flax·en; flax·seed; …   English syllables

  • flax|en — «FLAK suhn», adjective. 1. made of flax: »flaxen thread. 2. like the color of flax; pale yellow: »Flaxen hair is very light. 3. of or having to do with flax as a commercial product …   Useful english dictionary

  • flax — O.E. fleax cloth made with flax, linen, from P.Gmc. *flakhsan (Cf. O.Fris. flax, M.Du., Du. vlas, O.S. flas, O.H.G. flahs, Ger. Flachs), probably from P.Gmc. base *fleh , corresponding to PIE *plek to weave, plait (see PLY (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • flax — [flæks] n [U] [: Old English; Origin: flAx] 1.) a plant with blue flowers, used for making cloth and oil 2.) the thread made from this plant, used for making ↑linen …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • flax — [ flæks ] noun uncount 1. ) a plant with small blue flowers that is grown for the fibers in its stem and the oil in its seeds 2. ) the fibers from the stem of a flax plant, used for making LINEN (=a strong cloth) …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • flax — [flaks] adj. [ME < OE fleax, akin to Ger flachs < IE base * plek , to plait, interweave > L plectere, plicare, Ger flechten] designating a family (Linaceae, order Linales) of dicotyledonous plants and shrubs usually having narrow leaves… …   English World dictionary

  • flax — ► NOUN 1) a blue flowered herbaceous plant that is cultivated for its seed (linseed) and for textile fibre made from its stalks. 2) textile fibre obtained from this plant. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • flax|y — «FLAK see», adjective. = flaxen. (Cf. ↑flaxen) …   Useful english dictionary

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