from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flakna to flake off,
split, flagna to flake off, Sw. flaga flaw, flake, flake
plate, Dan. flage snowflake. Cf. {Flag} a flat stone.]
1. A loose filmy mass or a thin chiplike layer of anything; a
film; flock; lamina; layer; scale; as, a flake of snow,
tallow, or fish. "Lottle flakes of scurf." --Addison.
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Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat. --Evelyn.
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2. A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter,
darted from a fire; a flash.
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With flakes of ruddy fire. --Somerville.
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3. (Bot.) A sort of carnation with only two colors in the
flower, the petals having large stripes.
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4. a person who behaves strangely; a flaky[2] person.
[Colloq.]
[PJC]
{Flake knife} (Arch[ae]ol.), a cutting instrument used by
savage tribes, made of a flake or chip of hard stone.
--Tylor.
{Flake stand}, the cooling tub or vessel of a still worm.
--Knight.
{Flake white}. (Paint.)
(a) The purest white lead, in the form of flakes or
scales.
(b) The trisnitrate of bismuth. --Ure.
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