flax

[ flaks ]

/ flæks /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flax ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any plant of the genus Linum, especially L. usitatissimum, a slender, erect, annual plant having narrow, lance-shaped leaves and blue flowers, cultivated for its fiber and seeds.

the fiber of this plant, manufactured into linen yarn for thread or woven fabrics.

any of various plants resembling flax.

Nearby words

flavourful, flavouring, flaw, flawed, flawless, flax, flax kit, flaxen, flaxman, flaxseed, flay

Origin of flax

before 900; Middle English; Old English fleax; cognate with Dutch, Low German vlas, German Flachs

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for flax

Seek out varieties that include seeds—like flax, chia and sesame—which add nutrients including omega-3s and protein.
How to Buy Gluten-Free Without Getting Duped|DailyBurn|April 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Menstrual Cramps—Eat two tbsps of flax seeds during your period because of their hormone balancing lignans and phytoestrogens.
Use These 15 Home Remedies Based On Ayurveda To Cure Menstrual Cramps, Hangovers, and Indigestion|Ari Meisel|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Attempts have been made to improve the quality by the introduction of Riga flax seed, but so far without success.
Notes on Agriculture in Cyprus and Its Products|William Bevan
Few countries can boast such wheat, colza, flax, and madder as it produces.
Holland, v. 1 (of 2)|Edmondo de Amicis

Flax is still an important product, and the linen textiles made in the state are without a superior.
Commercial Geography|Jacques W. Redway
Flax, flax, n. the fibres of the plant Linum, which are woven into linen cloth: the flax-plant.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various
They process cloth from wool and flax before your eyes and explain with care the art of making homemade dyes from herb and bark.
Blue Ridge Country|Jean Thomas

British Dictionary definitions for flax

flax

/ (flæks) /

noun

any herbaceous plant or shrub of the genus Linum, esp L. usitatissimum, which has blue flowers and is cultivated for its seeds (flaxseed) and for the fibres of its stems: family Linaceae

the fibre of this plant, made into thread and woven into linen fabrics

any of various similar plants

Also called: harakeke NZ a swamp plant producing a fibre that is used by Māoris for decorative work, baskets, etc

Word Origin for flax

Old English fleax; related to Old Frisian flax, Old High German flahs flax, Greek plekein to plait

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012