Hypertext Webster Gateway: "flounder"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flounder \Floun"der\, n. [Cf. Sw. flundra; akin to Dan. flynder,
Icel. fly?ra, G. flunder, and perh. to E. flounder, v.i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A flatfish of the family {Pleuronectid[ae]}, of
many species.
Note: The common English flounder is {Pleuronectes flesus}.
There are several common American species used as food;
as the smooth flounder ({P. glabra}); the rough or
winter flounder ({P. Americanus}); the summer flounder,
or plaice ({Paralichthys dentatus}), Atlantic coast;
and the starry flounder ({Pleuronectes stellatus}).
2. (Bootmaking) A tool used in crimping boot fronts.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flounder \Floun"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Floundered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Floundering}.] [Cf. D. flodderen to flap, splash
through mire, E. flounce, v.i., and flounder the fish.]
To fling the limbs and body, as in making efforts to move; to
struggle, as a horse in the mire, or as a fish on land; to
roll, toss, and tumble; to flounce.
They have floundered on from blunder to blunder. --Sir
W. Hamilton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flounder \Floun"der\, n.
The act of floundering.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
flounder
n 1: flesh of any of various American and European flatfish
2: any of various European and non-European marine flatfish
v 1: walk with great difficulty; as in snow or mud [syn: {stagger}]
2: behave awkwardly; have difficulties; "She is floundering in
college"
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