flay
[ fley ]
/ fleɪ /
verb (used with object)
to strip off the skin or outer covering of.
to criticize or scold with scathing severity.
to deprive or strip of money or property.
Origin of flay
before 900; Middle English flen, Old English flēan; cognate with Middle Dutch vlaen, Old Norse flā
OTHER WORDS FROM flay
flay·er, nounun·flayed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for flayer
"By John the Flayer's pony," said Pete; and he laughed and made light of his night-long walk.
The Manxman|Hall CaineHe could imagine the thousands watching grimly while the flayer used his knife.
King--of the Khyber Rifles|Talbot MundyHe is a treacherous dog and may the flayer get all such treacherous dogs!
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I (of 3)|Alexander Wheelock Thayer
British Dictionary definitions for flayer
flay
/ (fleɪ) /
verb (tr)
to strip off the skin or outer covering of, esp by whipping; skin
to attack with savage criticism
to strip of money or goods, esp by cheating or extortion
Derived forms of flay
flayer, nounWord Origin for flay
Old English flēan; related to Old Norse flā to peel, Lithuanian pl e šti to tear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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