Definition of flax. Meaning of flax. Synonyms of flax
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Definition of flax
Flax Flax Flax, n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G.
flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L.
plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. ? to weave, plait.
See Ply.]
1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L.
usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a
foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the
bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen,
cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from
the seed.
2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken
and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
Earth flax (Min.), amianthus.
Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of
flax from the fibrous.
Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle.
Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in
bicarbinate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared
for bleaching and spinning like cotton. --Knight.
Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares
it for the spinner.
Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen
manufactured.
Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the
field.
Flax wench.
(a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.]
(b) A prostitute. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mountain flax (Min.), amianthus.
New Zealand flax (Bot.) See Flax-plant.
flax Fossil Fos"sil, a. [L. fossilis, fr. fodere to dig: cf. F.
fossile. See Fosse.]
1. Dug out of the earth; as, fossil coal; fossil salt.
2. (Paleon.) Like or pertaining to fossils; contained in
rocks, whether petrified or not; as, fossil plants,
shells.
Fossil copal, a resinous substance, first found in the blue
clay at Highgate, near London, and apparently a vegetable
resin, partly changed by remaining in the earth.
Fossil cork, flax, paper, or wood, varieties of
amianthus.
Fossil farina, a soft carbonate of lime.
Fossil ore, fossiliferous red hematite. --Raymond.