I. ˈflü noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English flue, flowe, flew, from Middle Dutch vlūwe, vlouwe; akin to Old English flōwan to flow — more at flow
: fishnet ; especially : dragnet
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English flew
dialect England : shallow , open , flaring
III. noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: origin unknown
: an enclosed passageway for establishing and directing a current of gas (as air): as
a.
(1) now dialect : chimney
(2) : a channel in a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air
a big 4-flue chimney
b. : a passageway for carrying a current of air from one place to another (as for heating, cooling, or ventilating)
warmed air is forced through flues between the studs
c.
(1) : an air channel to the lip of a wind instrument (as a recorder)
(2) : an organ flue pipe
(3) : the opening in an organ flue pipe between the lower lip and the languet
d. : a passage for conveying flame and hot gases around or through water in a steam boiler
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Flemish vluwe, from French velu shaggy — more at velvet
: soft downy material: as
a. : soft fluffy lint or debris
swept the flue from under the beds
b. : feather vane freed from quill and shaft ; especially : one of soft fluffy feathers (as of the ostrich)
a dainty cap trimmed with curled ostrich flue
V. adjective
Etymology: origin unknown
dialect England : thin and sickly : feeble