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flax definition

flax (flaks)

adjective

designating a family (Linaceae, order Linales) of dicotyledonous plants and shrubs usually having narrow leaves and five-part flowers

Etymology: ME < OE fleax, akin to Ger flachs < IE base *plek-, to plait, interweave > L plectere, plicare, Ger flechten

noun

  1. any of a genus (Linum) of the flax family; esp. a slender, erect annual plant (L. usitatissimum) with delicate, blue flowers: the seeds are used to make linseed oil, and the fibers of the stem are spun into linen thread
  2. the threadlike fibers of these plants, ready for spinning
  3. any of a number of flaxlike plants

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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