Flax
Flax
(flks), n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. to weave, plait. See Ply.] 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L. usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed.[1913 Webster]
2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
[1913 Webster]
Earth flax
(Min.), amianthus. --
Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of flax from the fibrous. --
Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle. --
Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in bicarbonate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared for bleaching and spinning like cotton.
Knight. --
Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares it for the spinner. --
Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen manufactured. --
Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the field. --
Flax wench. (a) A woman who spins flax.
[Obs.] (b) A prostitute.
[Obs.]
Shak. --
Mountain flax
(Min.), amianthus. --
New Zealand flax
(Bot.) See Flax-plant.
[1913 Webster]
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Tue 19th January 2021