I. ˈfläs, ˈflȯs noun
Etymology: probably modification of French floche soft, weak (of silk fiber), from Gascon, from Latin fluxus, literally, loose, flowing, past participle of fluere to flow — more at fluid
Date: 1759
1.
a. : soft thread of silk or mercerized cotton for embroidery
b. : dental floss
2. : fluffy fibrous material
II. verb
Date: 1974
transitive verb
: to use dental floss on
intransitive verb
: to use dental floss