L usitatissimum

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]