flail
flail Lexical Profile
flail Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To wave or swing wildly, erratically, or violently (especially of limbs).
"The inexperienced swimmer began to flail his arms in the deep end before the lifeguard reached him."
To struggle or act in an unfocused, confused, or ineffective way when trying to deal with a problem.
"Without a clear project manager, the team continued to flail as the deadline approached."
To beat or thresh (grain) using a hand tool or mechanical device.
"Workers had to flail the harvested rye on the barn floor to loosen the grain."
• noun
A traditional agricultural tool used for threshing grain by hand, consisting of a wooden staff with a short heavy stick swinging from the end.
"Before mechanical harvesters were invented, farmers used a wooden flail to separate kernels of wheat from their husks."
A medieval weapon consisting of a spiked metal ball or heavy striking head attached by a chain to a handle.
"The museum display featured a replica of a medieval knight's flail alongside other historical armor."
• Rhymes for flail
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English fleil, derived from Old English fligel, an early borrowing from Late Latin flagellum meaning 'whip' or 'scourge' (diminutive of Latin flagrum).