flax

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See also: Flax

English

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A field of flax (Linum usitatissimum)

Etymology

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From Middle English flax, from Old English fleax, from Proto-Germanic *flahsą, from Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ- (to plait). Cognate with Old Frisian flax, Dutch vlas, Old High German flahs (German Flachs); the Northern Germanic (and most likely the Gothic too[1]) stem is different.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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flax (countable and uncountable, plural flaxes)

  1. A plant of the genus Linum, especially Linum usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. Also known as linseed, especially when referring to the seeds.
  2. The fibers of Linum usitatissimum, grown to make linen and related textiles.
  3. The flax bush, a plant of the genus Phormium, native to New Zealand, with strap-like leaves up to 3 metres long that grow in clumps.

Usage notes

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The plural flaxes is used to indicate multiple species or varieties of flax; otherwise, flax is uncountable.

Derived terms

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Translations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Etymology in the Deutsches Wörterbuch of Jakob und Wilhelm Grimm: "however, Old Norse hör ... The Gothic word has not been transmitted, but one might guess harvs"
  2. ^ Bingham, Caleb (1808) “Improprieties in Pronunciation, common among the people of New-England”, in The Child's Companion; Being a Conciſe Spelling-book [] [1], 12th edition, Boston: Manning & Loring, →OCLC, page 75.

Anagrams

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Middle English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Inherited from Old English fleax, from Proto-West Germanic *flahs, from Proto-Germanic *flahsą, from Proto-Indo-European *plek-.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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flax (uncountable)

  1. Flax (Linum usitatissimum) or its fibers
  2. Linen; fabric made out of flax
  3. Flax or straw used as a firestarter; tinder
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Descendants

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  • English: flax

References

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Swedish

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Noun

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flax c

  1. (colloquial) (unexpected) good luck

Declension

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See also

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References

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