Library / English Dictionary

FLAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("flail" is a kind of...):

implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)

Derivation:

flail (give a thrashing to; beat hard)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give a thrashing to; beat hard

Synonyms:

flail; lam; thrash; thresh

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "flail" is one way to...):

beat; beat up; work over (give a beating to; subject to a beating, either as a punishment or as an act of aggression)

Verb group:

bat; clobber; cream; drub; lick; thrash (beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to flail the prisoners

Derivation:

flail (an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Move like a flail; thresh about

Example:

Her arms were flailing

Synonyms:

flail; thresh

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "flail" is one way to...):

beat; flap (move with a flapping motion)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

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