[flax] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE fleax; akin to OHG flahs flax, L plectere to braid--more at ply] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Linum of the family Linaceae, the flax family) of herbs; esp: a slender erect annual (L. usitatissimum) with blue flowers commonly cultivated for its bast fiber and seed
2: the fiber of the flax plant esp. when prepared for spinning
3: any of several plants resembling flax