flexedadj.
/flɛkst/, U.S. /flɛkst/ a. Bent. Now only Heraldry and in scientific use. flexed and reflexed (Heraldry), having the two extremities curved in opposite directions, like the letter S.
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the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of bending > [adjective]
bowea1500
devexed1562
flexed1572
cernuous1653
bowed1848
1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie iii. f. 20 v This worme is here figured with the tayle flexed vnder his chinne.
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. xiii. 125 The Proboscide, Truncke..of an Elephant, in Pale Couped, Flexed and Reflexed after the forme of a Roman S.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vii. 334 Upon my flexed knees.
1828–40 W. Berry Encycl. Her. I. Flexed, bent or bowed, somewhat circular.
1863 C. Boutell Heraldry Hist. & Pop. (ed. 2) xi. §1. 59 Three Legs, armed, proper..flexed in a triangle.
1880 T. H. Huxley Crayfish iii. 99 When the abdomen is completely flexed.
b. Archaeology. Of a corpse: buried with the legs drawn up under the chin. Hence also of a burial in which the corpse is in this position.
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the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > types of burial or entombment > [adjective] > with corpse in specific posture > of corpse
extended1875
flexed1915
the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > types of burial or entombment > [adjective] > with corpse in specific posture
crouched1915
flexed1952
1915 A. Keith Antiq. Man vi. 117 The body had been laid on its back,..with knees, thighs, and elbows flexed.
1934 V. G. Childe New Light on Most Anc. East ix. 274 The bodies had been interred extended or flexed.
1952 V. G. Childe New Light on Most Anc. East (ed. 4) ix. 187 At Harappa these are represented only by extended and flexed burials in Cemetery H.
1959 J. D. Clark Prehist. Southern Afr. ix. 249 The burial at Driekops Eiland was flexed, lying on its side and facing south.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1572