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negative flag

American  

noun

  1. the letter N in the International Code of Signals, signifying “no” when flown by itself: a square flag having four rows of alternate blue and white squares.

Etymology

Origin of negative flag

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cressy to the St. George by signal, "Shall I take you in tow?" answered with the negative flag: observed one of her rudder guys gone, and the people repairing it.

From Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol II by Ross, John, Sir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.