FLAIL


Meaning of FLAIL in English

I. flail 1 /fleɪl/ BrE AmE verb

1 . [intransitive and transitive] to wave your arms or legs in an uncontrolled way:

He flailed wildly as she tried to hold him down.

flail around/about

James flailed about in the shallow water.

2 . [transitive] to beat someone or something violently, usually with a stick

3 . [intransitive and transitive] to beat grain with a flail

II. flail 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]

[ Date: 1000-1100 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: flagellum 'whip, flail' ]

a tool consisting of a stick that swings from a long handle, used in the past to separate grain from wheat by beating it

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.