I. ˈflapə(r) noun
( -s )
1. : one that flaps: as
a. : a person or thing that reminds or warns one of something likely to be overlooked
a spring flapper can be built into the clutch to sound a warning — A.F.Cragne
: one that jogs the memory
till their memories were again roused by their flappers — Jonathan Swift
b. : something for use in flapping or striking (as a flyswatter)
c. : a part that hangs or droops (as the swingle of a flail)
d. : flipper 1
e. Britain : a young game bird ; especially : a young wild duck not yet able to fly well
f. slang : hand 1a(1)
g. : a worker who strikes the surface of molten metal with a rabble in copper refining
2. : a young woman:
a. archaic : an immoral or dissolute young woman
b. chiefly Britain : a young girl not yet introduced to society — compare bud
c. : a young woman who aggressively manifests freedom from constraint and conventions in conduct and dress — used especially during the period of World War I and the following decade
d. Britain : a woman between 21 and 30 years of age — used disparagingly during the period that the vote was withheld from women below 30 years of age in Britain
II. intransitive verb
( flappered ; flappered ; flappering -p(ə)riŋ ; flappers )
: to move in a flapping way