I. ˈflesh noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English flǣsc; akin to Old High German fleisk flesh and perhaps to Old English flēan to flay — more at flay
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially of a vertebrate ; especially : the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from internal organs, bone, and integument
b. : the condition of having ample fat on the body
cattle in good flesh
c. : skin
2.
a. : edible parts of an animal
b. : flesh of a mammal or fowl eaten as food
3.
a. : the physical nature of human beings
the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak — Matthew 26:41(Authorized Version)
b. : human nature
4.
a. : human beings : mankind
b. : living beings
c. : stock , kindred
5. : a fleshy plant part used as food ; also : the fleshy part of a fruit
6. Christian Science : an illusion that matter has sensation
7. : substance
insights buried in the flesh of the narrative — Jan Carew
•
- in the flesh
II. verb
Date: 1530
transitive verb
1. : to initiate or habituate especially by giving a foretaste
2. archaic : gratify
3.
a. : to clothe or cover with or as if with flesh ; broadly : to give substance to — usually used with out
flesh out a plan
b. : to make fuller or more nearly complete — used with out
museums flesh ing out their collections with borrowed works
4. : to free from flesh
intransitive verb
: to become fleshy — often used with up or out