Flail: meaning, definitions and examples
⚒️
flail
[ fleɪl ]
agriculture
A manual tool consisting of a long handle with a freely swinging stick or metal bar attached to the end, used for threshing grain.
Synonyms
beater, threshing tool
Examples of usage
- The farmer used a flail to separate the wheat from the chaff.
- She swung the flail back and forth to beat the grain out of the husks.
weapon
A medieval weapon consisting of a wooden handle with a spiked metal ball or chain attached to the end, used for striking opponents.
Synonyms
mace, morning star
Examples of usage
- The knight wielded a flail in battle.
- The flail was a fearsome weapon on the battlefield.
Translations
Translations of the word "flail" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mangual
🇮🇳 फ्लेल
🇩🇪 Dreschflegel
🇮🇩 palu
🇺🇦 ціп
🇵🇱 cep
🇯🇵 連接棍
🇫🇷 fléau
🇪🇸 mayal
🇹🇷 döver
🇰🇷 도리깨
🇸🇦 مذراة
🇨🇿 cep
🇸🇰 cep
🇨🇳 连枷
🇸🇮 mlatič
🇮🇸 þreskivél
🇰🇿 шоқпар
🇬🇪 მარჯვენა
🇦🇿 çırpıcı
🇲🇽 mayal
Word origin
The word 'flail' originated from the Old English word 'flegil', which in turn came from the Proto-Germanic 'flagilaz'. The use of flails in agriculture dates back to ancient times, with evidence of their use found in various cultures around the world. In medieval times, the flail was also adapted as a weapon for combat. The verb form of 'flail' developed from the idea of wild, uncontrolled movement, reflecting the swinging action of the tool or weapon.