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Flayed: meaning, definitions and examples

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flayed

 

[ fleɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

removal of skin

To flay means to strip the skin off an animal, often done in preparation for meat consumption. This term can also be used metaphorically to describe someone being harshly criticized or scolded. In a more artistic context, it can refer to the peeling away of layers in a painting or design to reveal what lies beneath. Flaying is typically associated with various forms of animal husbandry or butchery, emphasizing the process of taking away the protective covering.

Synonyms

peel, scalp, skin, strip

Examples of usage

  • The butcher skillfully flayed the lamb.
  • In ancient rituals, warriors would flay their enemies as a sign of victory.
  • The artist flayed the paint to uncover the texture of the canvas.
  • She felt flayed by the harsh criticism from her peers.

Translations

Translations of the word "flayed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 despelado

🇮🇳 छिलना

🇩🇪 gehäutet

🇮🇩 kulitnya diangkat

🇺🇦 знятий з шкіри

🇵🇱 zdarcie skóry

🇯🇵 皮を剥がれた

🇫🇷 découpé

🇪🇸 desollado

🇹🇷 derisi soyulmuş

🇰🇷 벗겨진

🇸🇦 مُقشَّر

🇨🇿 uškrcený

🇸🇰 olúpaný

🇨🇳 剥皮的

🇸🇮 olupljen

🇮🇸 afhúðað

🇰🇿 теріден алынған

🇬🇪 დამუშავებული

🇦🇿 dəri soyulmuş

🇲🇽 desollado

Word origin

The term 'flay' comes from the Old English 'flēgan', which means 'to strip off the skin'. The word can be traced back further to Proto-Germanic *flōhan, which means 'to peel or strip'. Over centuries, the word evolved and has been influenced by various languages, including Old Norse and Middle English. Historically, flaying has been practiced since ancient times as a method of preparing animal skins for clothing and tools. In literature and folklore, 'flaying' has also taken on a symbolic meaning, often used to describe extreme forms of punishment or verbal attack. The duality of the term, encompassing both a literal act and a metaphorical application, has enabled 'flay' to remain a powerful term in both language and culture.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,000, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.