Part 180

2. To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard the flank of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to attack, or threaten to attack; the flank of.

Flank, v. i. 1. To border; to touch. Bp. Butler.

2. To be posted on the side.

Flank"er (?), n. One who, or that which, flanks, as a skirmisher or a body of troops sent out upon the flanks of an army toguard a line of march, or a fort projecting so as to command the side of an assailing body.

They threw out flankers, and endeavored to dislodge their assailants.

W. Irwing.

Flank"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flankered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flankering.] [See Flank, v. t.] 1. To defend by lateral fortifications. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

2. To attack sideways. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Flan"nel (fln"nl), n. [F. flanelle, cf. OF. flaine a pillowcase, a mattress (?); fr. W. gwlanen flannel, fr. gwlan wool; prob. akin to E. wool. Cf. Wool.] A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture. Shak.

Adam's flannel. (Bot.) See under Adam. -- Canton flannel, Cotton flannel. See Cotton flannel, under Cotton.

Flan"neled (?), a. Covered or wrapped in flannel.

Flan"nen (?), a. Made or consisting of flannel. [Obs.] "Flannen robes." Dryden.

Flap (?), n. [OE. flappe, flap, blow, bly-flap; cf. D. flap, and E. flap, v.] Anything broad and limber that hangs loose, or that is attached by one side or end and is easily moved; as, the flap of a garment.

A cartilaginous flap upon the opening of the larynx.

Sir T. Browne.

2. A hinged leaf, as of a table or shutter.

3. The motion of anything broad and loose, or a stroke or sound made with it; as, the flap of a sail or of a wing.

4. pl. (Far.) A disease in the lips of horses.

Flap tile, a tile with a bent up portion, to turn a corner or catch a drip. -- Flap valve (Mech.), a valve which opens and shuts upon one hinged side; a clack valve.

Flap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flapped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flapping (?).] [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. D. flappen, E. flap, n., flop, flippant, fillip.] 1. To beat with a flap; to strike.

Yet let me flap this bug with gilded wings.

Pope.

2. To move, as something broad and flaplike; as, to flap the wings; to let fall, as the brim of a hat.

To flap in the mouth, to taunt. [Obs.] W. Cartwright.

Flap, v. i. 1. To move as do wings, or as something broad or loose; to fly with wings beating the air.

The crows flapped over by twos and threes.

Lowell.

2. To fall and hang like a flap, as the brim of a hat, or other broad thing. Gay.