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flaw1 definition

flaw (flô)

noun

  1. a break, scratch, crack, etc. that spoils something; blemish a flaw in a diamond
  2. a defect; fault; error a flaw in a legal document, in one's reasoning, etc.

Etymology: ME, a flake, scale, splinter, prob. < or akin to ON flaga, thin layer: for IE base see flake

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become faulty

Related Forms:

flaw2 definition

flaw (flô)

noun

a sudden, brief gust of wind, often with rain or snow; squall

Etymology: < or akin to ON flaga, sudden onset < IE base *plāk-, *plāg-, to strike, beat > flicker, L plangere, to beat (the breast)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

flaw Synonyms

flaw

n.

defect, imperfection, blemish, stain; see blemish, defect 2. See syn. study at defect.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

flaw Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • expose: To expose the deep flaws in the current mass media.

Adjective modifier

  • fatal: Fatal flaws Philip Cowley responds to last issue's Pilgrim column Think back a touch under nine years, to May 7 1997.

Modifying Another Word

  • fatally: The Great Shield was fatally flawed; in time the tiny fracture would grow into a gaping wound.

Noun used with modifier

  • security: The most recent version fixes a few known security flaws in earlier versions.

Preposition: in

  • logic: Flaws in the logic of the Big Bang also led to false predictions.

Preposition: from

  • outset: The problem is that the whole basis of the agreement has been flawed from the outset.
flaw usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

flaw quotes

  The Law is the true embodiment Of everything that's excellent. It has no kind of fault or flaw, And I, my Lords, embody the Law.

-Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)

Whether the nymph shall break Diana's law, Or some frail china jar receive a flaw, Or stain her honour, or her new brocade, Forget her pray'rs, or miss a masquerade.

-Pope, Alexander

flaw quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"flaw." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/flaw>

APA Style

flaw. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/flaw

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