I. ˈflap noun
Etymology: Middle English flappe
Date: 14th century
1. : a stroke with something broad : slap
2. obsolete : something broad and flat used for striking
3. : something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: as
a. : a piece on a garment that hangs free
b. : a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover
c. : a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
d. : an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
4. : the motion of something broad and limber (as a sail or wing)
5. : a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag — see airplane illustration
6.
a. : a state of excitement or agitation : tizzy , uproar
b. : something (as an incident or remark) that generates an uproar
7. : a consonant (as the sound d in ladder and t in latter ) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth — called also tap
II. verb
( flapped ; flap·ping )
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to beat with or as if with a flap
2. : to toss sharply : fling
3. : to move or cause to move in flaps
intransitive verb
1. : to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
2.
a. : to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings
b. : to progress by flapping
c. : to flutter ineffectively
3. : to talk foolishly and persistently