n.
Pronunciation: ' fläs, ' flo ̇ s
Function: 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