Flail
[fleɪl] or [flel]
Definition
(noun.) an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing.
(verb.) move like a flail; thresh about; 'Her arms were flailing'.
Typist: Murray--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a swipe, is so hung as to swing freely.
(n.) An ancient military weapon, like the common flail, often having the striking part armed with rows of spikes, or loaded.
Checker: Prudence
Definition
n. an implement for threshing corn consisting of a wooden bar (the swingle) hinged or tied to a handle: a medieval weapon with spiked iron swingle.—v.t. to strike with or as if with a flail.
Inputed by Ethel
Examples
- The threshing-floor still resounds to the flail as the grain is beaten from the heads of the stalks. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- They were armed with flails such as are used to beat out the grain and they were a good flail's length apart. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- But I do not think one blow with this will kill a man,' and he held his flail in both hands and looked at it with doubt. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Then I saw a man three men down from where I was standing and his face was working and he was biting his lips and his hands were white on his flail. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Separating rice grains by flailing. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- And in my life never do I wish to see such a scene as the flailing to death in the plaza on the top of the cliff above the river. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Living was an earthen jar of water in the dust of the threshing with the grain flailed out and the chaff blowing. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- We have his flails. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- All did not have flails, as enough flails could not be obtained. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- But most had flails obtained from the store of Don Guillermo Martin, who was a fascist and sold all sorts of agricultural implements. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- They were armed with flails such as are used to beat out the grain and they were a good flail's length apart. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Pablo had them beaten to death with flails and thrown from the top of the cliff into the river. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Editor: Will