flèche

American  

[fleysh, flesh] / fleɪʃ, flɛʃ /

noun

plural

flèches

1. Architecture. a steeple or spire, especially one in the Gothic style, emerging from the ridge of a roof.

2. Fortification. a fieldwork consisting of two faces forming a salient angle with an open gorge.

3. Fencing. a method of attack with saber or épée in which the attacker leaves from the rear foot and advances rapidly toward the opponent.

---

flèche British  

/ flɛʃ, fleɪʃ /

noun

1. Also called: spirelet.  a slender spire, esp over the intersection of the nave and transept ridges of a church roof

2. a pointed part of a fortification directed towards the attackers

3. fencing a short running attack

---

Etymology

Origin of flèche

1700–10; < French: literally, arrow, probably < Germanic. fly ²

Example Sentences

Around this great flèche, he concocted a fantastical menagerie of apostles and mythical creatures – most of which appear to have been saved from the flames, having already been removed for restoration.

From The Guardian • Apr. 16, 2019

This animal usually swims in troops, and its motions in the water are performed with such wonderful rapidity, that the French sailors call it la flèche de la mer, or the sea-arrow.

From Illustrative Anecdotes of the Animal Kingdom by Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)

Winfree, trying a gambit he'd seen in one of MacHenery's books but had never before attempted, extended his saber and flew forward toward MacHenery in a flèche.

From The Great Potlatch Riots by Lang, Allen Kim

She could just discern Neigh’s form upon the steps of the flèche above, ascending toilsomely in search of her.

From The Hand of Ethelberta by Hardy, Thomas

A characteristic feature of Hertfordshire churches—rare elsewhere—is the narrow tapering flèche, or leaded spire; a feature almost wholly absent is the apse, which is, I believe, present only at Bengeo, Great Wymondley, and Amwell.

From Hertfordshire by New, E. H. (Edmund Hort)