flake
1[ fleyk ]
/ fleɪk /
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noun
verb (used without object), flaked, flak·ing.
to peel off or separate in flakes.
to fall in flakes, as snow.
verb (used with object), flaked, flak·ing.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Origin of flake
1First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun) Middle English; akin to Old English flac- in flacox “flying (said of arrows),” Old Norse flakka “to rove, wander,” Middle Dutch vlacken “to flutter”; def. 4 by back formation from flaky, in sense “eccentric, odd”; (verb) late Middle English: “to fall in flakes,” derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM flake
flakeless, adjectiveflaker, nounWords nearby flake
flail, flail chest, flail joint, flair, flak, flake, flakeboard, flakelet, flake out, flake tool, flake white
Definition for flake (2 of 4)
flake2
[ fleyk ]
/ fleɪk /
noun
a frame, as for drying fish.
Origin of flake
2First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English flake, fleke, from Old Norse flaki, fleki “bridge, hurdle”
Definition for flake (3 of 4)
flake3
[ fleyk ]
/ fleɪk /
noun
verb (used with object), flaked, flak·ing.
to lower (a fore-and-aft sail) so as to drape the sail equally on both sides over its boom.
Origin of flake
3First recorded in 1620–30; apparently variant of fake2
Definition for flake (4 of 4)
flake4
[ fleyk ]
/ fleɪk /
verb (used without object), flaked, flak·ing.Slang.
to back out of a plan, promise, engagement, agreement, etc.; fail to follow through on something (usually followed by out): We had a 3 o’clock appointment, but he flaked on me an hour before.
to fall asleep; take a nap (usually followed by out): She drank way too much and flaked out on my couch.
Origin of flake
4First recorded in 1935–40; perhaps expressive variant of flag3; compare British dialect flack “to hang loosely, flap”
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for flake
British Dictionary definitions for flake (1 of 4)
flake1
/ (fleɪk) /
noun
verb
Derived forms of flake
flaker, nounWord Origin for flake
C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian flak disc, Middle Dutch vlacken to flutter
British Dictionary definitions for flake (2 of 4)
flake2
/ (fleɪk) /
noun
a rack or platform for drying fish or other produce
Word Origin for flake
C14: from Old Norse flaki; related to Dutch vlaak hurdle
British Dictionary definitions for flake (3 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for flake (4 of 4)
flake4
/ (fleɪk) /
noun
(in Australia) the commercial name for the meat of the gummy shark
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for flake
flake
[ flāk ]
A relatively thin, sharp-edged stone fragment removed from a core or from another flake by striking or prying, serving as a tool or blade itself or as a blank for making other tools. See more at flake tool.
A small, symmetrical, six-sided crystal of snow. Flakes can be large or small and wet or dry, depending on weather conditions. They are white in color because of their large number of reflecting surfaces.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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