from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flax \Flax\ (fl[a^]ks), 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.
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2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken
and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
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{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}.
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