FLAIL
Dictionary entry overview: What does flail mean?
• FLAIL (noun)
The noun FLAIL has 1 sense:
1. an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing
Familiarity information: FLAIL used as a noun is very rare.
• FLAIL (verb)
The verb FLAIL has 2 senses:
1. give a thrashing to; beat hard
2. move like a flail; thresh about
Familiarity information: FLAIL used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• FLAIL (noun)
Meaning:
An implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("flail" is a kind of...):
implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)
• FLAIL (verb)
Meaning:
Give a thrashing to; beat hard
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
flail; thrash; lam; thresh
Hypernyms (to "flail" is one way to...):
beat; beat up; work over (give a beating to; subject to a beating, either as a punishment or as an act of aggression)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
They want to flail the prisoners
Meaning:
Move like a flail; thresh about
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
flail; thresh
Context example:
Her arms were flailing
Hypernyms (to "flail" is one way to...):
beat; flap (move with a flapping motion)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
