Part 4383

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A conventional flower suggested by the iris, and having a form which fits it for the terminal decoration of a scepter, the ornaments of a crown, etc. It is also a heraldic bearing, and is identified with the royal arms and adornments of France.</def>

<h1>Fleury</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Fleur"y</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>fleuri</ets> covered with flowers, p.p. of <ets>fleurir</ets>. See <er>Flourish</er>.]</ety> <fld>(Her.)</fld> <def>Finished at the ends with fleurs-de-lis; -- said esp. a cross so decorated.</def>

<h1>Flew</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flew</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <def><tt>imp.</tt> of <er>Fly</er>.</def>

<h1>Flewed</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flewed</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Having large flews.</def>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Flews</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flews</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n. pl.</tt> <def>The pendulous or overhanging lateral parts of the upper lip of dogs, especially prominent in hounds; -- called also <altname>chaps</altname>. See <i>Illust</i>. of <er>Bloodhound</er>.</def>

<h1>Flex</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flex</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Flexed</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Flexing</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[L. <ets>flexus</ets>, p.p. of <ets>flectere</ets> to bend, perh. <ets>flectere</ets> and akin to <ets>falx</ets> sickle, E. <ets>falchion</ets>. Cf. <er>Flinch</er>.]</ety> <def>To bend; <as>as, to <ex>flex</ex> the arm</as>.</def>

<h1>Flex</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flex</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Flax.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Flexanimous</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flex*an"i*mous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>flexanimus</ets>; <ets>flectere</ets>, <ets>flexum</ets>, to bend + <ets>animus</ets> mind.]</ety> <def>Having power to change the mind.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Howell.</i>

<h1>Flexibility</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flex`i*bil"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>flexibilitas</ets>: cf. F. <ets>flexibilite</ets>.]</ety> <def>The state or quality of being flexible; flexibleness; pliancy; pliability; <as>as, the <ex>flexibility</ex> of strips of hemlock, hickory, whalebone or metal, or of rays of light</as>.</def>

<i>Sir I. Newton.</i>

<blockquote>All the <b>flexibility</b> of a veteran courtier. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Flexible</h1> <Xpage=570>

<hw>Flex"i*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>flexibilis</ets>: cf. F. <ets>flexible</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Capable of being flexed or bent; admitting of being turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle.</def>

<blockquote>When the splitting wind Makes <b>flexible</b> the knees of knotted oaks. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant; wavering.</def>

<blockquote>Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways <b>flexible</b> to the will of the people. <i>Bacon.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and <b>flexible</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>