flapn.
/flap/, U.S. /flæp/ I. The action of flap v.† 1.
a. A blow, slap, stroke. Also figurative. Obsolete.
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c1330 Arth. & Merl. 8084 With fauchouns, axes and battes, Ich gaue other sori flappes.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiii. 67 This freke..Preched of penaunces..And flappes of scourges.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxii. 275 I shall lene the a flap, My strengthe for to kythe.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 382 Thair freikis fell with mony fercie flap.
b. A blow given with something broad and loose (cf. 2). Also figurative. †a flap with a fox tail: figurative ? a contemptuous dismissal; a trivial rebuke (cf. flap v. 2d).
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the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > [noun] > mild > instance of
a flap with a fox tail1553
rub1642
a slap in (or on) the face, in the eye, on the wrist1914
a tap on the wrist1973
wrist-slap1977
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique i. f. 21 So that he [sc. the lawyer] gaineth alwaies..wheras the other get a warme sonne often tymes, and a flappe with a foxe taile for al that euer thei haue spente.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Faggiolata, a flim-flam tale..a flap with a foxetaile.
1653 A. Wilson Inconstant Lady iii. i Liquorish flies do sometimes meet with flaps.
1717 Will of S. Jackson If the Beadle make any demand..send him away with a Flapp of a Fox taile.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. ii. 17 This Flapper is..employed..to give him a soft Flap on his Eyes.
1727 J. Gay Lady & Wasp 8 The slightest flap a fly can chase.
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. ii. §84 75 I found another Flap for the House of Peers.
2.
a. ‘The motion of something broad and loose’ (Johnson), as a wing or a fly-flapper; the noise produced by its motion, or by contact with some other object. Cf. flap v. 5.
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the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [noun] > flutter (of wings)
flapping1398
beatingc1440
flap1774
wafture1795
flaff1827
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > [noun] > flapping or beating up and down > instance of
waft1652
flap1774
winnow1802
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [noun] > flapping sound
flap1816
whutter1831
slip-slap1890
whickering1899
whicker1920
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. 9 The flap of a swan's wing would break a man's leg.
1816 Ld. Byron Siege of Corinth xxii. 36 The flap of the banners, that flit as they're borne.
1823 W. Scott Peveril I. viii. 209 The flap of their wings must have been gracious in the ear of the famished prophet.
1859 C. Kingsley Misc. (1860) I. 152 I can hear the flap and snort of the dogs' nostrils.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. i. 226 A gnat can execute many thousand flaps of its little wings in a second.
b. A consonant sound produced by a flapping motion of the tongue.
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the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > speech sound by manner > [noun] > sonant > liquid > flap or tap
flap1887
tap1952
1867 A. M. Bell Visible Speech: Sci. Universal Alphabetics 57 The subsequent removal of the centre obstruction is attended with a slightly percussive flap, which is the essential characteristic of the class of ‘Divided’ Consonants.]
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 383/1 Glides to and from Flaps.—Flaps are consonants where there is a slack organ which flaps with the breath as it passes.
1888 H. Sweet Hist. Eng. Sounds (new ed.) 12 The most distinct glide-consonants are the flaps, of which the Norwegian ‘thick’ l is an example.
1950 D. Jones Phoneme p. xiii Single flap tongue-tip r.
1968 P. M. Postal Aspects Phonol. Theory ii. 24 Both are pronounced with the same voiced flap [D] as medial consonant.
c. colloquial. figurative. A state of worry, agitation, fuss, or excitement. Esp. in phrases, to be in, get in(to), a flap. Also spec., an alert (military sense). (Cf. flap v. 10b; unflappable adj.)
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society > armed hostility > attack > [noun] > sudden or surprise attack
supprise1412
surprise1457
supprising1487
alarm1548
larum1549
canvasado1581
descent1587
surprisal1591
flaw1596
canvass1611
insult1710
swoop1824
flap1916
the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > be in state of nervous excitement [verb (intransitive)]
to take ona1450
seethe1609
trepidate1623
to take on oneself1632
flutter1668
pother1715
to be upon the nettle (also in a nettle)1723
to be nerve all over1778
to be all nerve1819
to be (all) on wires1824
to break up1825
to carry on1828
to be on (occasionally upon or on the) edge1872
faff1874
to have kittens1900
flap1910
to be in, get in(to), a flap1939
to go sparec1942
to keep (also blow, lose) one's cool1964
faffle1965
to get one's knickers in a twist1971
to have a canary1971
to wet one's pants1979
tweak1981
1916 In Northern Mists xliv. 188 Sometimes our departures are more than usually sudden and unexpected. The whole proceeding then becomes what is known amongst us as ‘a Flap’.
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 95 A flap: the familiar Navy term for the sudden ‘liveliness’ on board ship on the arrival of an emergency order involving general activity at extreme high pressure... Also, an airman's term for an air-raid.
1936 Punch 2 Sept. 265/1 At the moment there is a flap because the price of bread is going up.
1939 Punch 30 Aug. 231 Now don't go and get into a flap or anything, Mother, but Joan's broken her arm.
1940 ‘Gun Buster’ Return via Dunkirk i. x. 78 Then happened one of our monthly ‘flaps’ (invasion scares).
1942 W. Simpson One of our Pilots is Safe ii. 39 From then on until the 10th May, when the blitz started in Holland and Belgium, we were subjected to a series of ‘flaps’.
1942 W. Simpson One of our Pilots is Safe ii. 40 Get your flight up right away, there's a flap on.
1945 E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited 14 ‘D'you think it's the real thing?’ ‘No.’ ‘Just a flap?’ ‘Yes.’
1949 H. Pakington Young W. Washbourne xx. 186 There was a sense of something afoot. ‘What's the flap?’ asked William of the man whose watch he was relieving. ‘Only our battle-cruisers engaging the enemy,’ replied the other.
1956 W. Slim Defeat into Victory xi. 236 Everything was working smoothly, there was no flap.
1960 Cambr. Rev. 7 May 510/2 It is quite untrue to say that emotionally vulnerable patients who ‘get into a flap’ over exams will subsequently panic when a real situation threatens them in later life.
II. Concrete uses.† 3. Something broad to strike with; esp. a fly-flapper. Obsolete.
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the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > pest control > [noun] > device for catching flies > device for driving off flies
werela1390
flapc1440
fly-flapc1440
flapper1570
flip-flap1600
cow-tail1672
fly-flapper1749
chauri1777
fly-brush1838
fly-whisk1838
fly-duster1860
scare-fly1862
fly-whipper1872
fly-fan1891
fly-flick1914
fly-swatter1917
swatter1917
fly-swish1922
swatting1925
fly-swat1937
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > blow struck with an object or instrument > with something flat > that which
flapc1440
flapper1825
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 163 Flappe, instrumente to smyte wythe flyys.
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.iv In his hande he bare a flap for flyes.
1573 T. Twyne in T. Phaer & T. Twyne tr. Virgil Whole .xii. Bks. Æneidos v. Argt. sig. Liiijv Ye game called Cæstus (which is fightyng with bagges or flappes of leather hanging by stringes, wherin is either lead, or sand).
a1641 T. Heywood Captives (1953) i. i. 6 The butchers..wyves..stood wth theire fflapps in theire hands. lyke ffannes.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. ii. 19 A young Man with a Flap came up to my side, and flapt me gently on the Right Ear.
4.
a. ‘Anything that hangs broad and loose, fastened only by one side’ (Johnson).
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the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended > loosely
fag feathers1486
flapa1529
lappet1677
flapper1854
flop1900
a1529 J. Skelton Why come ye nat to Courte (?1545) 1166 With a flap afore his eye.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. i. 28 Thou greene sacenet flap for a sore eye. View more context for this quotation
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 131 The lesser..having small roundish flapps on either side of the body.
1704 London Gaz. No. 4058/6 A Negro Boy..the Flap of one of his Ears being cut off.
1849 F. Parkman Calif. & Oregon Trail (1872) 192 I put aside the leather flap that covered the low opening.
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed xi. 223 [He] gave him a letter with a black M. on the envelope flap.
b. A pendant portion of a garment, hat, or cap. Hence applied to the garment or hat itself (slang).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > hanging or overlapping part
lapc897
tippetc1300
tag1402
labey1497
toque1505
flip-flap1529
flap1530
slipe1540
lambeau1562
lappet1573
flappet?1578
fall-down?1796
wrap-over1935
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 220/2 Flappe of a gowne, cappe.
1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 10 His coat was greene..Turned ouer with a flappe.
1632 R. Sherwood Dict. in R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues (new ed.) The flap, or back point of a friers cowle, cabuër.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. vi. 64 We spread abroad the Flaps of our Coats.
1707 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 14 Sept. An armfull of ym he took home, covering them with one flap of his Gown.
1713 A. Pope Narr. Robert Norris 10 The Flap of his Breeches dangled between his Legs.
1792 Mrs. Phillips Let. Nov. in F. Burney Diary & Lett. (1842) V. 360 An old-fashioned suit of clothes, with long flaps to a waistcoat [etc.].
1875 L. S. Floyer Plain Needlework 18 The old-fashioned shift with flaps.
1892 C. T. Dent et al. Mountaineering (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) iv. 104 Tying the flaps of his hat over his ears.
c. Of a saddle; also transferred.
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the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > ridge > [noun] > connecting > part of
flap1849
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [noun] > saddle > parts of saddle
saddle-boweOE
arsonc1300
saddle skirt1361
saddle-tree1364
skirtc1400
saddle panel1465
stock-tree1470
stock1497
pommela1500
tree1535
pillion cloth1540
port1548
saddle stock1548
pilch1552
bolster1591
cantle1591
shank-pilliona1599
pillowc1600
pad1604
crutch1607
sivet1607
saddle crutcha1614
saddle eaves1663
saddle tore1681
burr1688
head1688
narve1688
saddle seat1688
sidebar1688
torea1694
quarter1735
bands of a saddle1753
witherband1764
withers1764
peak1775
pillion-stick1784
boot-housing1792
saddle flap1798
saddle lap1803
fork1833
flap1849
horn1849
skirting1852
hunting-horn1854
head-plate1855
saddle horn1856
cantle bar1859
leaping-horn1859
straining1871
stirrup-bar1875
straining-leather1875
spring tree1877
leaping-head1881
officer-tree1894
monkey1911
monkey-strap1915
thigh roll1963
straining-web-
1849 R. I. Murchison Siluria v. 95 A geological saddle, having one thin and partly metamorphosed flap only on the east side.
1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 142/1 The saddle..consists of the tree..the seat, the skirts, and the flaps.
d. The tail of a crustacean.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Crustacea > [noun] > member of > parts of > tail
flap1774
flapper1836
tail-flap1847
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VI. 373 The spawn..sticks to the barbs under the flap, or more properly the tail [of the crab].
1842 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (ed. 2) viii. 173 The terminal flap of this gigantic crustacean was..continuous.
e. (See quot. 1669.)
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the world > animals > birds > order Sphenisciformes or penguin > [noun] > wing of
flap1669
fin1699
flipper1868
1669 W. Hacke Coll. Orig. Voy. (1699) III. 62 Penguins..have neither Feathers nor Wings, but only two Fins or Flaps, wherewith they are helped to swim.
5.
a. Something broad and flat, hanging or working (vertically) on or as on a hinge.
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the world > space > relative position > support > hanging or suspension > [noun] > that which hangs or is suspended > something suspended at the side
leaf1367
flap1565
flappet?1578
1565–73 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Biforis Bifore fenestræ..with two flappes.
1754 A. Murphy Gray's Inn Jrnl. No. 103. ⁋9 One Table, the Flap broken.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 140 He makes each sail..to consist of six or eight flaps or vanes..moving upon hinges.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge iv. 254 It [sc. the cellar] had a great black wooden flap or shutter.
1859 Regulations for Musketry Instr. Army 71 The first and second class men..should be trained to fire at 300 and 400 yards with the flap of back-sight down.
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. iv. 27 There was a table..one flap of it was gone altogether.
b. A valve. tide flap n. a valve used to shut off the tide-water from a sewer.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [noun] > valve
cockc1483
window1576
stopcock1584
register1612
shut1651
valve1659
flap1824
shut-off1869
stop-tap1895
stop-gate1902
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [noun] > valve > others
washer1596
turncock1702
air cock1709
Jack-in-the-box1728
runner1754
stop-valve1829
three-way cock1838
ball valve1839
relief valve1846
poppet valve1851
plunger valve1854
pot-lid1856
reflux valve1857
screw-down1864
mica valve1880
tide flap1884
tube-valve1884
swing-tap1892
relay valve1894
Schrader1895
pilot valve1900
mixer valve1904
spool valve1908
spill valve1922
safety valving1930
three-way1939
1824 ‘R. Stuart’ Descr. Hist. Steam Engine 151 c,c,c, are the valves or flaps.
1869 J. C. Atkinson Peacock's Gloss. Dial. Hundred of Lonsdale Flap, the leather or valve of a pump.
1884 Internat. Health Exhib. Official Catal. 55/2 A Collection of Sanitary Iron work, such as..tide flaps, &c.
1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Sept. 1/3 We descend to the other side of the ‘flap’—the men's term for a ‘penstock’.
c. Anatomy †(a) The epiglottis. Obsolete. (b) In fishes: The operculum or gill-cover; a similar cover for the nostril.
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the world > life > the body > structural parts > cartilage > cartilage of specific parts > [noun] > of neck or throat
ringbonec1400
ring?a1425
lavell1530
epiglot1547
flap?1550
weezle1594
cricoid1615
epiglottis1615
over-tongue1615
ring-gristle1615
shield-gristle1615
throat stopper1661
guggle1680
throat flap1683
ring cartilage1690
fillet1693
thyroid cartilage1726
thyroid1840
arytenoid1849
shield-cartilage1881
triticeous cartilage or nodule1891
the world > animals > fish > parts of fish > [noun] > gill(s) or parts of
ginnle?c1475
gill vein1683
arista1691
radius1691
fish-ear1748
operculum1752
flap1803
opercle1808
subopercle1822
preoperculum1828
preopercule1842
preopercular1851
interoperculum1855
preoperclec1857
raker1903
?1550 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Healthe sig. H.iiii Agaynst al grefes in the flap beinge in the mouth whyche couereth the wind pipe.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 1224 The cover or flap of the throat, epiglossis.
1803 W. Bingley Animal Biogr. III. 104 They fill their mouth with water, then drive it backwards with so much force as to lift open the great flap, and force it out behind.
1881 Günther in Encycl. Brit. XII. 637 Nostrils of Raia lemprieri, with nasal flaps reverted.
d. One of the floats of a paddle-wheel.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > driven by water > parts of
awe1503
scoop1591
float1611
ladle1611
sole1675
float-board1719
ladle-board1744
paddle1758
shrouding1797
wrist1797
polroz1806
breastwork1833
flap1839
shrouding-plate1844
shroud-plate1844
staving1875
shroud-
1839 W. M. Thackeray Catherine vi, in Fraser's Mag. July 108/2 The ensign's arms were working up and down..like the flaps of a paddle-wheel.
e. Aeronautics. (Also wing-flap) = aileron n. (The word has been applied to various kinds of hinged or sliding sections at the leading or trailing edge of the wing or tail of an aircraft, the primary function of which is to modify the lift.)
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society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > [noun] > movable control surface > aileron or elevon
wing-flap1906
aileron1908
tip1913
split flap1929
elevon1945
1906 Sci. Amer. 18 Aug. 116/3 One part of the wing..is formed of a series of longitudinal flaps, fixed at the edges to a wire gauze network, so that the flap is made to close when the wing is brought down, but keeps open when the wing is raised.
1909 Flight 27 Nov. 755/2 Small triangular planes are fitted above the extremities of the wings... The rudder is put over for steering to the right and simultaneously the flap above the extremity of the right-hand wing-tip is raised.
1911 Reports & Mem. (Adv. Comm. Aeronaut.) Nov. 100 It would be useful to know..whether the wing flaps should be additional to the width of the wing,..or whether the extra efficiency of warping indicates the abandonment of flaps altogether.
1921 Aeronaut. Jrnl. June 274 Flap Experiments with Slotted Aerofoil. An increase in the lift coefficient can be obtained by the use of a plane with flaps and altering the angle of incidence of these flaps.
1930 Engineering 14 Feb. 189/2 The vertical top and bottom flaps, which form the rudders, and the horizontal port and starboard flaps, which form the elevators, have each a span of about 44 ft.
1941 A. O. Pollard Bombers over Reich xi. 154 With flaps out of action.
1971 Air Enthusiast June 22/1 Possibilities of modifying the wing leading edge profile or using a leading-edge flap were eventually discarded.
6. † c. collective. Scraps. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
a. Something broad and loose, irrespectively of connection with anything else; esp. an overlying layer; a broad piece of any material.
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the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > breadth or width > [noun] > a broad or loose piece
flap1603
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. i. 197 We are all framed of flappes and patches, and of so shapelesse and diverse a contexture, that [etc.].
1651 T. Randolph et al. Hey for Honesty v. i. 40/1 A rump or a flap of mutton were a fee For Jove's own breakfast.
1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret i. 24 The damn'd fat flaps of shoulders of mutton.
1843 W. M. Thackeray in Punch 4 69/2 The flap of a shoulder of mutton..I ate cold.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Bk. Snobs i. 8 We..had flaps of bread for plates.
1866 Daily Tel. 18 Jan. 5/2 Large flaps of swine's flesh..make their appearance at breakfast.
1884 F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott tr. H. A. de Bary Compar. Anat. Phanerogams & Ferns 114 The great flaps of cork on the cortex of Boswellia papyrifera.
1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Flap (thieves), sheet lead for roofs.
b. A large, broad mushroom. Also flab n. 1.
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the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > fungi > [noun] > mushroom
mushroom1440
champignon1578
swamp1631
morel1653
moriglio1698
flap1744
agaric1777
chanterelle1777
flab?18..
nutmeg-boletus1813
blewits1830
mitre mushroom1854
cèpe1865
horse mushroom1866
matsutake1877
girolle1894
shiitake1925
miller1954
old man of the woods1972
king bolete1976
shroom1977
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] > mushrooms or edible fungi > mushroom > types of
champignon1578
meadow mushroom1597
goat's beard1640
button mushroom1708
flap1744
flab?18..
whitecap1801
nutmeg-boletus1813
blewits1830
mitre mushroom1854
St. George's mushroom1854
springer1860
cheese-room1865
horse mushroom1866
oyster mushroom1875
redmilk1882
beef-steak fungus1886
blusher1887
shaggy cap1894
shaggy mane1895
maitake1905
shiitake1925
oysterc1950
miller1954
porcino1954
saffron milk cap1954
old man of the woods1972
portobello1985
1744 R. Pickering in Philos. Trans. 1742–3 (Royal Soc.) 42 598 The thin Filament is that to which the Edges of the Head of the Mushroom adhere, while it is, what is commonly called, a Button, and from which it separates by expanding to a Flap.
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. Housekeeper (1778) 361 Scrape large flaps..and boil them in their own liquor.
1854 Eng. Cycl. I. 90/1 The common mushroom..in this state..is called a flap.
ΚΠ
1736 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum (ed. 2) Flap, moist meat for hogs.
d. A loose covering for the lower part of the abdomen. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > clothing for lower body > other
sam-cloth1552
hip hapea1640
flap1813
panung1857
1701 C. Wooley Two Years Jrnl. N.-Y. 22 A piece of Cloth about a yard and a half long, put between their groins, tied with a Snake's Skin about their middle, and hanging down with a flap before.]
1813 Weekly Reg. 5 270/1 The fort was attacked by 725 Indians..; they were entirely naked, except a flap.
1846 J. J. Hooper Some Adventures Simon Suggs 113 Generally there are two or three hundred [Indians]..engaged in the sport at once; all naked except the ‘flap’.
1919 C. G. Raht Romance Davis Mts. 54 The clothing..consisted usually of leggings..the breech clout, or ‘flap’.
7. Surgery.
a. A portion of skin or flesh, separated from the underlying part, but remaining attached at the base.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > [noun] > piece of
patch1706
flap1856
1826 S. Cooper First Lines Pract. Surg. (ed. 5) ii. xxi. 377 Placing the flap of the cornea in regular contact with the part with which it was naturally joined.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xii. 127 A flap let down from his forehead.
1876 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. (ed. 2) I. xii. 514 The flaps were reflected, and a large gland enucleated.
b. A piece of flesh or skin grafted upon an injured or defective part.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > transplanting and grafting operations > [noun] > a transplant or graft > of skin
flap1813
skin flap1841
skin graft1871
1813 J. Thomson Lect. Inflammation 225 The mode of repairing noses by a flap or portion of flesh taken from the arm.
1894 Westm. Gaz. 31 Aug. 3/1 The grafting upon the injured..part of flaps of skin taken..from a neighbouring surface.
8. plural in Farriery. A disease in the mouth of horses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of mouth
barblec1440
barb?1523
lampas?1523
giggs1566
rampone1580
camery1587
flap1587
frounce1587
palamie1600
tin-blain1614
lick1827
1587 L. Mascall Bk. Cattell (1600) ii. 163 Giges or flappes, is pimples or teates in the inside of his [a horse's] mouth.
1610 G. Markham Maister-peece i. xii. 32 Swelling in the mouth, a signe either of canker, flaps, or lampasse.
1726 N. B. Farrier's & Horseman's Dict. 228/1 When a Horse is said to have the Flaps, you may perceive his Lips swell'd on both sides of his Mouth.
1831 W. Youatt Horse viii. 149 The sublingual glands..sometimes enlarge..and..are called gigs, and bladders, and flaps in the mouth.
9. dialect or slang. A woman or girl of light or loose character.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > sexual indulgence > unchaste behaviour of woman > unchaste or loose woman
queanOE
whorec1175
malkinc1275
wenchelc1300
ribalda1350
strumpeta1350
wench1362
filtha1375
parnelc1390
sinner14..
callet1415
slut?c1425
tickle-tailc1430
harlot?a1475
mignote1489
kittock?a1500
mulea1513
trulla1516
trully?1515
danta1529
miswoman1528
stewed whore1532
Tib1533
unchaghe1534
flag1535
Katy1535
jillet1541
yaud1545
housewife1546
trinkletc1550
whippet1550
Canace1551
filthy1553
Jezebel1558
kittyc1560
loonc1560
laced mutton1563
nymph1563
limmer1566
tomboy1566
Marian1567
mort1567
cockatrice1568
franion1571
blowze1573
rannell1573
rig1575
Kita1577
poplet1577
light-skirts1578
pucelle1578
harlotry1584
light o' lovea1586
driggle-draggle1588
wagtail1592
tub-tail1595
flirt-gill1597
minx1598
hilding1599
short-heels1599
bona-roba1600
flirt1600
Hiren1600
light-heels1602
roba1602
baggage1603
cousin1604
fricatrice1607
rumbelow1611
amorosa1615
jaya1616
open-taila1618
succubus1622
snaphancea1625
flap1631
buttered bun1638
puffkin1639
vizard1652
fallen woman1659
tomrigg1662
cunt1663
quaedama1670
jilt1672
crack1677
grass-girl1691
sporting girl1694
sportswoman1705
mobbed hood1707
brim1736
trollop1742
trub1746
demi-rep1749
gillyflower1757
lady of easy virtue1766
mot1773
chicken1782
gammerstang1788
buer1807
scarlet woman1816
blowen1819
fie-fie1820
shickster?1834
streel1842
charver1846
trolly1854
bad girl1855
amateur1862
anonyma1862
demi-virgin1864
pickup1871
chippy1885
wish-wife1886
tart1887
tartleta1890
flossy1893
fly girl1893
demi-mondaine1894
floozy1899
slattern1899
scrub1900
demi-vierge1908
cake1909
coozie1912
muff1914
tarty1918
yes-girl1920
radge1923
bike1945
puta1948
messer1951
cooze1955
jamette1965
skeezer1986
slutbag1987
chickenhead1988
ho1988
1631 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas Spanish Bawd ix. 110 Fall to your flap, my Masters, kisse and clip.
1631 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas Spanish Bawd ix. 112 Come hither, you foule flappes.
1892 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words (at cited word) A young giddy girl is called a flap, or a woman who does not settle down to her domestic duties.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. General relations.
a.
flap-basket n.
ΚΠ
1862 Sat. Rev. 14 186/2 He goes out to all Lancashire with his little flap-basket, and doles out..his two ounces of tea.
flap-board n.
ΚΠ
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §2031 A flap-board.
1899 W. C. Morrow Bohemian Paris 269 The bleeding trunk of the victim lying upon the flap-board.
flap-door n.
ΚΠ
1844 Zoologist 2 748 The flap-door of a glass hive is opened.
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 133 Flap-door, a man~hole door.
flap-down n.
ΚΠ
1937 Archit. Rev. 82 57/1 The drinks-cupboard is in mahogany, and has a rubber-faced flap-down serving~board.
flap ear n. (also flap ears)
ΚΠ
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. viii. [Lestrygonians] 164 Look at his mouth. Could whistle in his own ear. Flap ears to match.
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren x. 183 Nosey people are known as: Flap-ears, Keyhole Kates, Nosey-Parkers [etc.].
flap-seat n.
ΚΠ
1891 Daily News 4 Feb. 3/4 Mr. Samuel asked why flap-seats were permitted at Drury-lane Theatre.
flap-shutter n.
ΚΠ
1867 T. Sutton & G. Dawson Dict. Photogr. 156 Some use flap-shutters in front of the lens.
flap-top adj.
ΚΠ
1927 R. A. Freeman Certain Dr. Thorndyke ii. xv. 225 A large, old-fashioned flap-top desk.
flap-trap n.
ΚΠ
1858 Skyring's Builders' Prices Advt. Flap Traps..always kept in Stock.
flap-valve n.
ΚΠ
1867 W. W. Smyth Treat. Coal & Coal-mining 211 The chambers are fitted..with flap valves.
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. I. 876/2 Flap-valve, a valve which opens and shuts upon one hinged side. A clack-valve.
flap-window n. (sense 5.)
ΚΠ
1825 Beverley Lighting Act ii. 19 Leave open..the door, hatchway or flap-window.
b.
flap-eared adj.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 143 A horson beetle-headed flap-ear'd knaue. View more context for this quotation
C2. Special combinations.
flap-apple n. = flapjack n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > prepared fruit and dishes > [noun] > apple dishes
apple-moyse1381
apple frittera1475
hot codlings?1610
flapjack1620
baked apple1621
apple pudding1708
black cap1710
pan pie1723
flap-apple1750
charlotte1796
hop-about1820
biffin1822
apple dowdy1823
pandowdy1833
apple charlotte1842
apple snow1846
apple strudel1850
apple hogling1880
apple amber1889
cob1898
apple crumble1947
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > pastry > pasty > [noun] > types of pasty
dariole?a1400
sambouse1609
venison pastya1616
flapjack1620
stucklinga1655
apple pasty1664
keech1677
marrow pasty1696
flap-apple1750
pâté1768
hoglinga1825
bridie1833
empanada1866
Cornish pasty1877
pelmeni1926
tiddy oggy1942
oggy1948
stromboli1950
samosa1955
1750 W. Ellis Country Housewife's Family Compan. 25 Turnover, or Flap-Apple, or Meat Pasties.
flap-dock n. (also flap-dick, flap-a-dock) local names for the foxglove.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > [noun] > coltsfoot
horse-hoof1398
foalfoota1400
wowellc1450
Tussilago1510
coltsfoot1552
bull-foot1562
colt's-hoof1565–73
colt-herb1587
coughwort1597
horse-foot1597
flap-dock1846
clay-weed1878
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > foxglove and allied flowers > foxglove
foxglovec1000
London button1552
wine-pot herb1552
finger1562
finger flower1562
lady's glove1575
foxter1623
fox-finger1657
fox1684
bloody finger1789
witch bell1808
fairy fingers1811
fairy thimble1813
dead men's bells1818
witches' thimbles1820
fairy bells1821
fairy glove1841
flap-dock1846
cow-flop1847
pop-glove1847
lady's thimble1853
Scotch mercury1853
poppy1856
fairy petticoats1864
finger root1870
fairy weed1871
pop-dock1878
witches' bells1884
1846 E. Anglia Gloss. Suppl. Flapdock, foxglove.
flap-fracture n. = compound fracture at compound adj. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders of bones > [noun] > fractures
brucheOE
fissurec1400
fracture?1541
compound fracture1543
fraction1587
attrition1634
effracture1634
flap-fracture1658
complicated fracture1745
abduction1753
star fracture1840
stress fracture1911
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid ii. xxvi. 165 I call this a Flap-fracture, when the Wound of the broken leg goeth onely through the flesh and skin, and cometh forth with the one end.
flap-hat n. one having flaps or a flapping brim.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > hat > other
cap (also hat) of maintenancec1475
hat1483
wishing-hat1600
cockle hat1603
porringer1623
poke1632
custard-cap1649
bonnet1675
muff-box1678
Caroline1687
Quaker1778
meat safe1782
balloon hat1784
gypsy hat1785
cabriolet1797
gypsy bonnet1803
Gypsy1806
Wellington hat1809
fan-tail-hat1810
umbrella hat1817
radical1828
caubeen1831
topi1835
montera1838
Petersham1845
squash hat1860
Moab1864
kiddy1865
flap-hat1866
Dolly Varden1872
brush-hata1877
potae1881
Pope's-hat1886
plateau1890
kelly1915
push-back1920
kiss-me-quick hat1963
pakul1982
tinfoil hat1982
1866 E. B. Browning in A. S. Orr Life & Lett. E. B. Browning (1891) 275 Great black flap hats.
flap-holder n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 346/1 Flap Holder (Surgical), a delicate prehensile instrument for holding flaps of sutures in confined situations.
flap-leg n. the leg that supports a flap of a table.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > table > [noun] > table with leaf or flap > leaf or flap > leg supporting
flap-leg1882
1882 G. A. Sala Amer. Revisited (1885) 98 A flap-leg was let down; and..a table was improvised.
flap-mouth n. a mouth with broad, hanging lips.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [noun] > types of
tutel?c1225
oven mouthc1425
plaice-moutha1569
pouch-mouth?1570
flop-mouth1604
flap-mouth1631
out-mouth1668
flounder-mouth1672
sparrow-mouth1673
splay-mouth1693
smoke-holea1704
screw mouth1707
spout mouth1736
beak-mouth1921
satchel-mouth1933
motormouth1976
1631 P. Fletcher Sicelides iii. iv, F ij b So, haue you done? Fie flapmouth. Triton, thou beslauerest me.
flap-mouthed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [adjective] > types of
round-mouthed?1473
shevel?1507
tut-mouthed?a1513
wry-mouthed1552
pouch-mouth1565
plaice-moutha1569
out-lipped1570
pouch-mouthed?a1592
flap-mouthed1594
wide-mouthed1594
plaice-mouthed1595
big-mouthed1602
sparrow-mouthed1611
stretch-moutheda1616
splay-mouthed1647
wry-mouth1652
whale-mouthed1656
out-mouthed1698
spout-mouthed?1711
mickle-mouthed1720
sheveling-gabbit1725
mickle-mouth1863
tenible1871
primped1935
1594 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis (new ed.) sig. Fiiij Another flapmouthd mourner..volies out his voyce.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne from Pernassus (Arb.) iv. ii. 51 Begin thou Furor, and open like a phlaphmouthd hound.
flap-operation n. Medicine (see quot. 1884).
ΚΠ
1785 T. Jones in Med. Communications 9 326 (title) Case of a Flap Operation, united by first Intention.
1884 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon (at cited word) Flap operation, a method of amputation in which a..portion of the skin is reflected from the subjacent soft parts before these and the bones are divided.
flap-sight n. in a rifle, one that turns up or down on a hinge.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > sight > types of
dispart1578
telescopic sight1674
plain sight1686
aim-frontlet1745
hausse1787
foresight1806
gloaming sight1817
night-sight1822
bead1831
leaf1832
backsight1847
globe sight1847
pendulum hausse1850
hindsight1851
tangent scale1859
tangent1861
tangent backsight1862
training pendulum1862
training level1863
peep sight1866
dispart-sight1867
notch sight1867
buck-horn1877
orthoptic1881
aperturea1884
pinball-sighta1884
dispart patch1884
sight bar1884
flap-sight1887
barley-corn1896
ring sight1901
riflescope1902
spotting scope1904
tangent sight1908
Aldis sight1918
wind-sight1923
scope sight1934
gyro-sight1942
1887 H. R. Haggard Allan Quatermain (1888) 66 One of the repeaters..fitted with ordinary flap sights.
flap table n. one with a hinged flap, a leaf table.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > table > [noun] > table with leaf or flap
folded table1504
leaf table1570
Pembroke1778
fly-table1785
flap table1833
Sutherland table1879
gate-table1904
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §613 An ironing-board, or flap table.
1924 R. Kipling Debits & Credits (1926) 183 His pitch-pine-lined caravan, with..its flap-table.
flap-wing n. dialect the swift.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > perching birds > order Apodiformes > [noun] > family Apodidae > genus Apus > apus apus (swift)
martinet1440
martleta1460
marlet1530
swift1668
black martin1673
Apus1774
longwing1786
deviling1797
devilet1828
flap-wing1834
squealer1854
devil1885
devil bird1885
1834 H. O'Brien Round Towers Ireland 38 This, it may be said, is applying a steam engine to crush a flapwing.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
flapv.
/flap/, U.S. /flæp/ a. transitive. To strike with a sudden blow. Also with down, in sunder. In later use chiefly implying a stroke with a blunt weapon. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > strike in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > suddenly
flap?a1400
flop1888
zap1942
?a1400 Morte Arth. 2782 Alle þe flesche of þe flanke he flappes in sondyre.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 90 A grete whirling or tourbillon of winde cam sodaynly & flapped him on the visage.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Eii I shall flappe hym as a fole to fall at my fete.
1843 T. Wilson Pitman's Pay ii. lxxvii Flap her doun at yence wi' pouther.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike or deliver blows [verb (intransitive)]
slay971
smitelOE
flatc1330
flap1362
acoupc1380
frapa1400
girda1400
hit?a1400
knocka1400
swap?a1400
wapa1400
castc1400
strike1509
befta1522
to throw about one1590
cuff1596
to let down1640
dunch1805
yark1818
bunt1867
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > strike in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > with sudden blow
flap1362
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 174 And flapten on with fleiles from morwe til euen.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. ix. 419 A storke..smytyth other flappyth with his bylle.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxii. 275 Now fall I the fyrst To flap on his hyde.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7674 Tedius..flappit at hym felly with a fyne swerde.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lie, tell lies [verb (intransitive)] > extremely, blatantly
to lie for the whetstone1418
to lie in one's throat1566
to flap in the mouth (with a lie)1578
to flap the lie in one's teeth1650
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 18v I will flappe Ferardo in the mouth with some conceyte.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Emboucher d'vn mensonge..to..flap in the mouth, with an (apparant) lie.
1650 J. Howell Addit. Lett. xxiii. 37 in Epistolæ Ho-elianæ (ed. 2) They will flap the lie in Truths teeth.
1654 T. Fuller Comment on Ruth 203 in 2 Serm. So many Children flap their Parents in the mouth with a Lye.
2.
a. To strike with something flexible and broad (e.g. a fly-flapper); to drive away or off; to put out (a light) as with a blow so given.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > strike with an object > with something flat
platOE
skelpa1400
flapc1440
pat1533
slap1632
spatc1832
smack1835
paddle1847
the world > matter > light > darkness or absence of light > make dark [verb (transitive)] > quench (light) > in specific way
flapc1540
puff1547
purge1573
to blow out1617
spit1681
shoot1972
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > extinguishing fire > extinguish (fire) [verb (transitive)] > by a blow
flapc1540
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > with a flapper
flap1553
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 164 Flappyn wythe a flappe, flabello.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11795 Ten tymes be-tyde..þat hit fest was on fyre, & flappit out onone Vnto smorther & smoke.
1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 201 When many flies stode feedyng vpon his rawe fleshe..he was contented..to haue them flapte awaie.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 966 With the rest of his taile he flapped and beat her legges.
1677 Compl. Servant-maid 68 Take a clean linen cloth and gently flap it [the lace] over oftentimes.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. ii. 16 With these Bladders they now and then flapped the Mouths and Ears of those who stood near them.
1734 A. Pope Epist. to Arbuthnot 305 Yet let me flap this Bug with gilded wings.
1842 Ld. Tennyson St. Simeon Stylites in Poems (new ed.) II. 61 They flapp'd my light out as I read.
1843 G. W. Le Fevre Life Trav. Physician I. i. i. 7 I was assured that two men would run before me to flap away the flies.
b. Of a bird: To strike with the flat of the wing; also to drive off (etc.) by flapping.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > flight > [verb (intransitive)] > flap or flutter > strike with the flat of the wing
flap1585
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > by flapping
flap1694
1585 J. B. tr. P. Viret School of Beastes: Good Housholder sig. Dj When the female tarieth over long in the feeldes, they [Pygeons] flappe them with their winges.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 271 Flapping the water with their wings.
1694 R. L'Estrange Fables (ed. 2) ccclxxviii The Eagle Flapt off the former [the Beetle], and Devoured the other [the Hare].
1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things iv. 847 The cock..flaps away the darkness with his wings.
1819 J. H. Wiffen Aonian Hours (1820) 76 Night's shrieking bird Flaps the friezed window with her wing.
1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 62 They [sc. doves] forc'd and flappit to the yird That spulyier and fae.
c. figurative. To call the attention of, as if with a flap; to prompt, remind. Cf. quot. 1726 at sense 2a and flapper n.1 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > reminder, putting in mind > remind [verb (transitive)]
mingOE
mina1200
bethink1340
recorda1382
reducec1425
rememberc1425
rememorate1460
mind1524
revive?1564
remembrance1593
recall1595
prompt1600
remind1621
enmind1645
immind1647
refricate1657
commonish1661
flap1790
to touch up1796
1790 F. Burney Diary 20 May (1842) V. 123 ‘He wants nothing..but a flapper’. ‘Yes, and he takes flapping inimitably’.
1888 Contemp. Rev. 53 13 They..despatched an agent to London to ‘flap’ the Colonial Office.
d. intransitive. To make a flap or stroke. Also with down. †to flap at (something) with a fox's tail: said figuratively of a lenient or pretended reproof.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)] > gently or leniently
to flap at (something) with a fox's tail1581
1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. xvi. 582 This is but..to strike or flap at a fault with a Foxe taile, and none other.
1846 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. in Wks. II. 108/2 I flap down with the border of my glove, and brush away..these gossamer pretensions.
a. transitive. To clap (the hands).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > with the hand > with the open hand > strike the hand or hands
flapa1382
slap1717
smack1871
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Jer. v. 31 Prestus flappeden for ioȝe their hondes.
b. intransitive. To clap, applaud. Also quasi-transitive. To clap (applause); to signify by clapping. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > applaud [verb (transitive)] > by clapping > signify by clapping
flapa1382
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > applaud [verb (intransitive)] > by clapping
beflapa1425
flap1582
clap1623
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. xvii. 18 A fool man shal for ioȝe flappe with hondis.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 21 Thee Moors hands clapping, the Troians, plaudite, flapped.
4.
a. transitive. To toss with a smart movement; to throw down suddenly; to fold together roughly. Also, to toss (a pancake). Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > suddenly
shootc1075
flapc1320
flatc1330
spang1513
yark1568
flirt1582
cant1685
jerk1708
flip1712
shuttle1823
spring1884
the world > space > relative position > folding or folded condition > fold [verb (transitive)] > together
lap1390
interfold1579
interplicate1623
flap1644
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > general preparation processes > perform general preparation processes [verb (transitive)] > toss
toss1723
flap1847
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > so as to impinge on something
pat1567
repose1582
inject1599
flap1877
project1936
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 766 The greihond..hente the adder in strong ger, And flapped here al aboute his er.
1644 R. Culmer Cathedrall Newes Canterbvry 5 The maid..went to bed, leaving the Ruffe flapt together as her mistris had stampt it.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words I Flap a froize, to turn it in the pan without touching it.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. ‘He flapped th' newspaper doon upo' th' floor.’
b. intransitive. To fall or throw oneself down suddenly; to flop. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > move downwards [verb (intransitive)] > flop down
flap1660
to flounce down1786
flop1870
bellyflop1914
1660 S. Fisher Rusticus ad Academicos iii. 58 He..flaps suddenly down into a peece of Cow-dung.
1753 S. Foote Englishman in Paris i. 15 Souse she flapp'd on her Back.
1834 S. R. Maitland Voluntary Syst. (1837) 89 They..flap down on their knees before the Bishop.
1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia V. xviii. xiii. 333 Soldiers flap down to drink it from the puddles.
5.
a. intransitive. Of anything attached at one extremity or loosely fastened: To swing or sway about loosely; to flutter or oscillate as when moved by the wind. Often with the additional notion of making a noise by striking against something, or by the reciprocal concussion of the parts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > move irregularly or be agitated [verb (intransitive)] > flap loosely
wapc1400
flaffa1522
flap1529
flip-flap1599
flop1602
flasker1689
wamfle1808
wallop1822
flacket1823
flapper1835
swap1884
slat1889
faffle1951
1529 J. Skelton Elynour Rummyng 136 Naked pappes, That flyppes and flappes.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iii. xi. 166 My Canvace torne, it flaps from side to side.
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xxxv. 302 This Diaphragma..flappeth vpon all occasions, as a drumme head would do, if it were slacke and moyst.
a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 9 I'le let the Main saile flap against the yard.
1796 R. Southey Rudiger in Ballads & Metr. Tales in Poet. Wks. VI. 21 The long streamer fluttering fast, Flapp'd to the heavy gale.
1805 W. Wordsworth Waggoner Concl. 50 When windows flap.
1815 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers July (1884) I We are now lying at sea with our sails flapping.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge lv. 253 The cheery deep-red curtains flapped and fluttered idly in the road.
1876 E. Jenkins Blot on Queen's Head 7 Proud of their sign-board wherever it flapped and shone.
1877 F. Ross et al. Gloss. Words Holderness Flap, to close or shut with violence. ‘Shut deear or it'll flap teea, ther's sike a wind.’
b. transitive (causal) To cause to flap; to move (any surface) percussively. Also, to shut (a door) to sharply.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > agitate [verb (transitive)] > cause to flap
flap1565
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close (a door, window, etc.) > violently or noisily
clapc1405
to throw to1644
slap1709
slam1775
bounce1786
flap1801
smack1801
slump1836
to fling to1862
bang1878
1565–73 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Plango Windes flap togither wide garments in the aire.
1727 J. Swift Further Acc. E. Currl His books..flapping their covers at him.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. iii. 126 I hear the wind, that flaps The curtain of the Tent.
1801 Lusignan II. 164 I..flapped my door to, and locked it.
6.
a. intransitive. Of a hat: To have the flap or flaps swaying up and down or drooping.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [verb (intransitive)] > of a hat: have drooping flaps
flap1679
1679 Tryals & Condemnation Jesuits 82 He had an old black Hat on that flapp'd.
1713 J. Gay & A. Pope in Guardian 24 Mar. 2/1 He was so ill that his Hat began to flap.
b. transitive. To pull down the flaps of (a hat).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > adjust or arrange > hat
to cock one's hat1628
flap1751
slouch1766
slap1782
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle III. lxxxiv. 36 They had flapped their hats over their eyes.
1759 S. Johnson Idler 24 Mar. 89 It began to rain..he flapped his hat.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 231 Wearing a hat flapped over his face.
7.
a. transitive. To move up and down, beat (the wings).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > flap or flutter wings
wag1496
flush1558
flap1567
buska1774
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > move to and fro or up and down [verb (transitive)] > flap or beat up and down
wavea1530
flask1565
flap1567
winnow1579
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vi. f. 69 But that she clad in feathers white hir lazie wings must flap.
1703 W. Dampier Voy. New Holland iii. 115 They flew flapping their Wings like Lapwings.
1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol ii. 190 The luxurious Wasp..in the viscous Nectar plung'd, His filmy Pennons struggling flaps in vain.
1874 J. G. Wood Out of Doors 287 The Swift does not flap its wings so often as the Swallow.
b. absol. and intransitive. To beat the wings; to make movements like the beating of wings. Also of wings: To move up and down, beat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > actions or bird defined by > [verb (intransitive)] > flap (wings)
flap1692
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > move to and fro or up and down [verb (intransitive)] > flap or beat up and down
fanc1400
swapa1529
wavea1530
flap1692
winnow1852
flail1874
flip-flop1924
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables cxv. 108 'Tis a Common Thing for a Duck to run Flapping and Fluttering away.
1697 J. Dryden Ded. Æneis in tr. Virgil Wks. sig. d4 The Dira..flapping on the Shield of Turnus.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 87 They [leaves] flap and whistle down.
1823 Ld. Byron Island iv. xiii. 76 While o'er them flapped the sea-birds dewy wing.
1842 T. Hood Turtles vii Five splendid Turtles..Were flapping all alive.
1865 E. B. Tylor Res. Early Hist. Mankind ii. 21 Flap with the arms.
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd II. vii. 81 A light flapped over the scene, as if reflected from phosphorescent wings.
c. figurative colloquial phrase to have one's ears flapping and variant, to listen attentively.
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the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > listen attentively [phrase]
to bow the earc1230
to lend audience1580
to lend an ear or one's ears1583
to lend hearing1603
to prick up one's ears1682
to cock one's ears1700
to have one's ears flapping1925
to pin one's ears back1947
1925 P. G. Wodehouse Carry on, Jeeves i. 26 It was the work of a moment with me to..dive into a bush..and stand there with my ears flapping.
1937 M. Allingham Dancers in Mourning ix. 124 The next thing Konrad heard—and he must have sat there with his ears flappin'—was Sutane sayin', ‘I don't want you.’
1955 M. Gilbert Sky High vi. 80 We never..ask any questions but..we manage to keep our ears flapping.
1959 G. Mitchell Man who grew Tomatoes x. 137 I'm sure he followed us. Didn't you notice him flapping his ears when you were talking to the receptionist?
1967 ‘M. Erskine’ Case with Three Husbands ii. 33 You get on and explain them... Harris, I can see, has his ears positively flapping.
8. intransitive (with adverb complement).
a. Of a bird: To make way by flapping the wings.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > flight > [verb (intransitive)] > flap or flutter
fluttera1000
flickerc1000
bate1398
fanc1400
flackerc1400
abatea1475
flack1567
bat1614
beata1616
flusker1660
flop1692
flap1776
flick1853
1776 W. Clayton in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 66 104 They [sc. loggerhead ducks]..only swim and flap along on the water at an extraordinary rate.
1870 C. Kingsley in Good Words June 38/1 A slate-blue heron..flapped fifty yards up the creek.
b. Of a ship: To make way with the sails flapping. (Cf. 5.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > proceed with sails set in specific way
veera1625
pinch1704
flap1853
goose-wing1920
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. ix. 63 We pursued our way, flapping lazily along side of the ‘pack’.
9. † a. trans. to flap open: to throw open like a flap: see flap n. 5.
b. intransitive. To move like a flap.
ΚΠ
1669 W. Simpson Hydrologia Chymica 97 Gas.. getting passage..flaps open the Œsophagus.
1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. I. 658/1 The valves flap together and close that opening.
10.
a. slang. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1885 Daily Tel. 18 Aug. 3/1 £70..obtained by flapping a jay.
1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Flap the dimmock, to pay.
1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Flap, to rob, to swindle; ‘to flap a jay’, to swindle a greenhorn.
b. intransitive. colloquial. To speak (anxiously) about; to be upset; to become agitated; to fuss; to panic. (Cf. flap n. 2c.) Also (transitive) to flap one's mouth.
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the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > be in state of nervous excitement [verb (intransitive)]
to take ona1450
seethe1609
trepidate1623
to take on oneself1632
flutter1668
pother1715
to be upon the nettle (also in a nettle)1723
to be nerve all over1778
to be all nerve1819
to be (all) on wires1824
to break up1825
to carry on1828
to be on (occasionally upon or on the) edge1872
faff1874
to have kittens1900
flap1910
to be in, get in(to), a flap1939
to go sparec1942
to keep (also blow, lose) one's cool1964
faffle1965
to get one's knickers in a twist1971
to have a canary1971
to wet one's pants1979
tweak1981
1870 G. Meredith Let. 27 Jan. (1970) I. 415 Out flaps the big girl with a whinny, Fire! Fire!]
1910 H. G. Wells Hist. Mr. Polly vii. 166 You go flapping your silly mouth about me, and I'll give you a poke in the eye.
1912 R. Kipling in London Mag. Apr. 170/1 ‘We're a nice lot to flap about governing the Planet,’ De Forest laughed.
1927 J. Elder Thomasina Toddy ix ‘Anne's a jolly nice person,’ she said to Stella. ‘Not bad. Nothing to flap about,’ said Stella.
1927 J. Elder Thomasina Toddy xxii ‘It's beastly, being so little,’ she said crossly. Anne..said ‘But it doesn't matter, Tom. You mustn't let it. It's silly to flap about things which can't be remedied.’
1943 J. L. Hunt & A. G. Pringle Service Slang 32 A person who can't ‘cope’ or who is very nervous is told to stop ‘flapping’.
1952 J. Cannan Body in Beck viii. 171 My mamma flaps about my climbing, he said, and I said..it's no more dangerous than crossing the Corn.
1959 J. Verney Friday's Tunnel iii. 39 Mummy..burst into tears. I put my arm round her waist. ‘Please don't flap.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [adverb] > flapping sound
flap1701
flicket-a-flacket1707
1701 C. Cibber Love makes Man i. 8 About eight a Clock..flap! They all sous'd upon their Knees.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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