from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flesh \Flesh\ (fl[e^]sh), n. [OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl[=ae]sc;
akin to OFries. fl[=a]sk, D. vleesch, OS. fl[=e]sk, OHG.
fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw.
fl[aum]sk.]
1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which
cover the framework of bones in man and other animals;
especially, the muscles.
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Note: In composition it is mainly proteinaceous, but contains
in adition a large number of low-molecular-weight
subtances, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin,
carnin, etc. It is also rich in potassium phosphate.
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2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat;
especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as
distinguished from {fish}.
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With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread.
--Chaucer.
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3. The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the
corporeal person.
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As if this flesh, which walls about our life,
Were brass impregnable. --Shak.
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4. The human eace; mankind; humanity.
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All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
--Gen. vi. 12.
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5. Human nature:
(a) In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.
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There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
--Cowper.
(b) In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical
pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.
(c) (Theol.) The character under the influence of animal
propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by
spiritual influences.
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6. Kindred; stock; race.
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He is our brother and our flesh. --Gen. xxxvii.
27.
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7. The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a
root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.
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Note: Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining
compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush
or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound.
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{After the flesh}, after the manner of man; in a gross or
earthly manner. "Ye judge after the flesh." --John viii.
15.
{An arm of flesh}, human strength or aid.
{Flesh and blood}. See under {Blood}.
{Flesh broth}, broth made by boiling flesh in water.
{Flesh fly} (Zool.), one of several species of flies whose
larv[ae] or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle
fly; -- called also {meat fly}, {carrion fly}, and
{blowfly}. See {Blowly}.
{Flesh meat}, animal food. --Swift.
{Flesh side}, the side of a skin or hide which was next to
the flesh; -- opposed to {grain side}.
{Flesh tint} (Painting), a color used in painting to imitate
the hue of the living body.
{Flesh worm} (Zool.), any insect larva of a flesh fly. See
{Flesh fly} (above).
{Proud flesh}. See under {Proud}.
{To be one flesh}, to be closely united as in marriage; to
become as one person. --Gen. ii. 24.
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