Fletch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fletched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Fletching.] [F. flËche arrow.] To feather, as an arrow. Bp. Warburton.
[Congress] fletched their complaint, by adding: "America loved his
brother."
Bancroft.
Fletch"er (?), n. [OF. flechier.] One who fletches or feathers arrows;
a manufacturer of bows and arrows. [Obs.] Mortimer.
Flete (?), v. i. [See Fleet, v. i.] To float; to swim. [Obs.] "Whether
I sink or flete." Chaucer.
Fle*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L. fletifer; fletus a weeping (from flere,
fletum, to weep) + ferre to bear.] Producing tears. [Obs.] Blount.
||Fleur`-de-lis` (?), n.; pl. Fleurs-de-lis (#). [F., flower of the
||lily. Cf. Flower-de-luce, Lily.] 1. (Bot.) The iris. See
||Flower-de-luce.
2. A conventional flower suggested by the iris, and having a form which
fits it for the terminal decoration of a scepter, the ornaments of a
crown, etc. It is also a heraldic bearing, and is identified with the
royal arms and adornments of France.
Fleur"y (?), a. [F. fleuri covered with flowers, p. p. of fleurir. See
Flourish.] (Her.) Finished at the ends with fleurs-de-lis; -- said esp.
of a cross so decorated.
Flew (?), imp. of Fly.
Flewed (?), a. Having large flews. Shak.
Flews (?), n. pl. The pendulous or overhanging lateral parts of the
upper lip of dogs, especially prominent in hounds; -- called also
chaps. See Illust. of Bloodhound.
Flex (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flexed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flexing.] [L.
flexus, p. p. of flectere to bend, perh. flectere and akin to falx
sickle, E. falchion. Cf. Flinch.] To bend; as, to flex the arm.
Flex, n. Flax. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Flex*an"i*mous (?), a. [L. flexanimus; flectere, flexum, to bend +
animus mind.] Having power to change the mind. [Obs.] Howell.
Flex`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L. flexibilitas: cf. F. flexibilite.] The
state or quality of being flexible; flexibleness; pliancy; pliability;
as, the flexibility of strips of hemlock, hickory, whalebone or metal,
or of rays of light. Sir I. Newton.
All the flexibility of a veteran courtier.
Macaulay.
Flex"i*ble (?), a. [L. flexibilis: cf. F. flexible.] 1. Capable of
being flexed or bent; admitting of being turned, bowed, or twisted,
without breaking; pliable; yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle.
When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks.
Shak.
2. Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly
rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant;
wavering.
Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the
will of the people.
Bacon.
Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible.
Shak.
3. Capable or being adapted or molded; plastic,; as, a flexible
language.
This was a principle more flexible to their purpose.
Rogers.
Syn. -- Pliant; pliable; supple; tractable; manageable; ductile;
obsequious; inconstant; wavering.
-- Flex"i*ble*ness, n. -- Flex"i*bly, adv.
Flex`i*cos"tate (?), a. [L. flexus bent + E. costate.] (Anat.) Having
bent or curved ribs.
Flex"ile (?), a. [L. flexilis.] Flexible; pliant; pliable; easily bent;
plastic; tractable. Wordsworth.
Flex"ion (?), n. [L. flexio: cf. F. flexion.] 1. The act of flexing or
bending; a turning.