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flay definition

flay (flā)

transitive verb

  1. to strip off the skin or hide of, as by whipping
  2. to criticize or scold mercilessly
  3. to rob; pillage

Etymology: ME flan < OE flean, akin to MDu vlaen, ON fla < IE base *plē-, to tear off > flitch

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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Flay104 years ago

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