4. (Astron.) The small distortion of an astronomical instrument caused
by the weight of its parts; the amount to be added or substracted from
the observed readings of the instrument to correct them for this
distortion.
The flexure of a curve (Math.), the bending of a curve towards or from
a straight line.
Flib"ber*gib (?), n. A sycophant. [Obs. & Humorous.] "Flatterers and
flibbergibs." Latimer.
Flib"ber*ti*gib`bet (?), n. An imp. Shak.
||Fli`bus`tier" (?), n. [F.] A buccaneer; an American pirate. See
||Filibuster. [Obs.]
Flick (flk), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flicked (flkt); p. pr. & vb. n.
Flicking.] [Cf. Flicker.] To whip lightly or with a quick jerk; to
flap; as, to flick a horse; to flick the dirt from boots. Thackeray.
Flick, n. A flitch; as, a flick of bacon.
Flick"er (-r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flickered (-rd); p. pr. & vb. n.
Flickering.] [OE. flikeren, flekeren, to flutter, AS. flicerian,
flicorian, cf. D. flikkeren to sparkle. √84. Cf. Flacker.] 1. To
flutter; to flap the wings without flying.
And flickering on her nest made short essays to sing.
Dryden.
2. To waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air, or when about
to expire; as, the flickering light.
The shadows flicker to fro.
Tennyson.
Flick"er, n. 1. The act of wavering or of fluttering; fluctuation;
sudden and brief increase of brightness; as, the last flicker of the
dying flame.
2. (Zoˆl.) The golden-winged woodpecker (Colaptes auratus); -- so
called from its spring note. Called also yellow-hammer, high-holder,
pigeon woodpecker, and yucca.
The cackle of the flicker among the oaks.
Thoureau.
Flick"ering*ly, adv. In a flickering manner.
Flick"er*mouse` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Flittermouse.
Flidge (?), a. Fledged; fledge. [Obs.] Holland.