Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- To flutter; flap.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Out of the haze now and then, as we descended to the valley, there would come the peculiar cry of the red-deer, or the flaff of a wing, or the bleat of a goat It was maddening to be in the neighbourhood of the meal that roe, or bird, or goat would offer, and yet be unable to reach it.
John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn Neil Munro
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But they seemed to mock him and whistle in his very face, and at the flaff of their wings his heart grew sore.
The Moon Endureth: Tales and Fancies John Buchan 1907
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She whisked away into the milk-house, taking the door after her as far as it would go with a _flaff_ that brought a bowl, which had been set on its edge to dry, whirling off the dresser on to the stone floor.
Bog-Myrtle and Peat Tales Chiefly of Galloway Gathered from the Years 1889 to 1895 1887
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He actilly sneezed for the matter of ten minutes -- he seemed half choked with the flaff and stuff, that came out with him like a cloud.
The Clockmaker Thomas Chandler Haliburton 1830
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He actilly sneezed for the matter of ten minutes -- he seemed half choked with the flaff and stuff, that came out with him like a cloud.
The Clockmaker — or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of Slickville Thomas Chandler Haliburton 1830
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The unemployment spike is going to come on strong within a year, and there simply isn't time to flaff around with all the planning red tape and consultation processes, that if allowed to run their course will delay any new development plans for years.
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That it appears from an ac» count prefented to this Houie on 'the 2ift of April, 1796, that the fum of 146,9001. 1 2s. 4d. is now dutf to the general and flaff-oficers of P IT B L I C P A P E R S. his iriajefty's forces for the years
The New annual register, or General repository of history, politics, and ... 1797
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THE committee eftabiiflicd this day at St. Pierre by me, b hereby authorifcd to give, when required fo to do by the flaff officers of the army, and efpecially by Colonel Myers and Major
A Collection of State Papers Relative to the War Against France Now Carrying on by Great Britain ... 1795
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When he was going to rife he fupported himfelf upon a flaff, which unfortu - nately flipt upon the marble, and the king fell headlong from the top to the bottom of the flair.
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Frofpero bad not yet iroktm aud bwritd bit flaff* nor drtwmtd bis bc§if AifiT tban did ever flimimtt fiund.
The Monthly Review; or, Litereary Journal: From January to June, inclusive. 1782
ruzuzu commented on the word flaff
This is on whichbe's Words of the Future list, but there's a meaning for it in the Century: "To flutter; flap."
February 24, 2011
yarb commented on the word flaff
Perhaps the "Century" is the 22nd?
February 24, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the word flaff
I blame the time lords.
February 24, 2011