Hypertext Webster Gateway: "flake"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flake \Flake\, n. [Etym. uncertain; cf. 1st {Fake}.]
A flat layer, or fake, of a coiled cable.
Flake after flake ran out of the tubs, until we were
compelled to hand the end of our line to the second
mate. --F. T.
Bullen.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flaki, fleki, Dan. flage,
D. vlaak.]
1. A paling; a hurdle. [prov. Eng.]
2. A platform of hurdles, or small sticks made fast or
interwoven, supported by stanchions, for drying codfish
and other things.
You shall also, after they be ripe, neither suffer
them to have straw nor fern under them, but lay them
either upon some smooth table, boards, or flakes of
wands, and they will last the longer. --English
Husbandman.
3. (Naut.) A small stage hung over a vessel's side, for
workmen to stand on in calking, etc.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flakna to flake off,
split, flagna to flake off, Sw. flaga flaw, flake, flake
plate, Dan. flage snowflake. Cf. {Flag} a flat stone.]
1. A loose filmy mass or a thin chiplike layer of anything; a
film; flock; lamina; layer; scale; as, a flake of snow,
tallow, or fish. ``Lottle flakes of scurf.'' --Addison.
Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat. --Evelyn.
2. A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter,
darted from a fire; a flash.
With flakes of ruddy fire. --Somerville.
3. (Bot.) A sort of carnation with only two colors in the
flower, the petals having large stripes.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flake \Flake\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flaked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Flaking}.]
To form into flakes. --Pope.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flake \Flake\, v. i.
To separate in flakes; to peel or scale off.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
flake
n 1: a crystal of snow [syn: {snowflake}]
2: a small fragment of something broken off from the whole; "a
bit of rock caught him in the eye" [syn: {bit}, {chip}, {fleck},
{scrap}]
v 1: form into flakes
2: cover with flakes or as if with flakes
3: come off in flakes or thin small pieces; "The paint in my
house is peeling off" [syn: {peel off}, {peel}, {flake off}]
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