Pronunciation: ' flat- ˌ fu ̇ -t ə d, ˌ flat- '
Function: adjective
Date: 1601
1 : affected with flatfoot broadly : walking with a dragging or shambling gait
2 a : firm and well balanced on the feet b : free from reservation : FORTHRIGHT <had an honest flat-footed way of saying a thing>
3 : not ready : UNPREPARED ― used chiefly in the phrase catch one flat-footed
4 : proceeding in a plodding or unimaginative way : PEDESTRIAN < flat-footed prose>
– flat-foot · ed · ly adverb
– flat-foot · ed · ness noun