[flag] n [ME flagge reed, rush] (14c): any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: as a: iris; esp: a wild iris b: sweet flag
[2]flag n, often attrib [perh. fr. [1]flag] (1530) 1: a usu. rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device, or as a decoration
2. a: the tail of some dogs (as a setter or hound); also: the long hair fringing a dog's tail b: the tail of a deer 3 a: something used like a flag to signal or attract attention b: one of the cross strokes of a musical note less than a quarter note in value
4: something represented by a flag: as a: flagship b: an admiral functioning in his office of command c: nationality; esp: the nationality of registration of a ship or aircraft [3]flag vt flagged ; flag.ging (1856) 1: to signa l with or as if with a flag; esp: to signal to stop "flagged the train"--often used with down
2: to put a flag on (as for identification)
3: to call a penalty on: penalize "a lineman flagged for being offside" [4]flag vi flagged ; flag.ging [prob. fr.
[2]flag] (1545) 1: to hang loose without stiffness
2. a: to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless b: to decline in interest or attraction [5]flag n [ME flagge turf, fr. ON flaga slab; akin to OE floh chip] (1604): a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving; also: a piece of such stone [6]flag vt flagged ; flag.ging (1615): to lay (as a pavement) with flags