FLAW


Meaning of FLAW in English

I. ˈflȯ noun

Etymology: of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian flaga gust, squall

Date: 1513

1. : a sudden brief burst of wind ; also : a spell of stormy weather

2. obsolete : an outburst especially of passion

II. noun

Etymology: Middle English, flake, from Old Norse flaga stone slab, moldar flaga thin layer of turf; akin to Old English flōh flat stone

Date: 1586

1.

a. : a defect in physical structure or form

a diamond with a flaw

b. : an imperfection or weakness and especially one that detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness

vanity was the flaw in his character

a flaw in the book's plot

2. obsolete : fragment

• flawed ˈflȯd adjective

• flaw·less -ləs adjective

• flaw·less·ly adverb

• flaw·less·ness noun

III. verb

Date: 1610

transitive verb

: to make flaws in : mar

intransitive verb

: to become defective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.