flap

flap [flap]

n.

[ME flappe < the v.]

1. anything flat and broad that is attached at one end and hangs loose or covers an opening [the flap of a pocket]

2. the motion or slapping sound of a swinging flap [the flap of an awning]

3. Archaic a blow with something broad and flat; slap

4. either of the two parts of a book's dust jacket that fold inside the book's covers and that usually contain a summary of the book's contents and a brief biographical sketch of its author

5. Informal a state of excitement, controversy, or agitation

6. Aeron. a pilot-controlled airfoil; esp., a section hinged to the trailing edge of a wing between the aileron and the fuselage, usually used to increase lift or drag

7. Phonet. a sound articulated with a single rapid touch of the tongue against the roof of the mouth

8. Surgery a piece of tissue partly detached from the surrounding tissue, as for grafting

vt.

flapped, flapping [ME flappen: prob. echoic]

1. to strike with something flat and broad; slap

2. to move back and forth or up and down as in beating the air, usually with some noise [a bird flapping its wings]

3. to throw, fling, slam, etc. abruptly or noisily

vi.

1. to move back and forth or up and down, as in the wind; flutter

2. to fly or try to fly by flapping the wings

3. to hang down as a flap

4. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] to become excited or confused

flapless

adj.

flappy

adj.