ˈflaks noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English flax, flex, from Old English fleax, akin to Old Frisian flax, Old High German flahs flax, Latin plectere to plait, braid — more at ply
1.
a. : a plant of the genus Linum ; especially : a slender erect annual ( L. usitatissimum ) with linear leaves and blue flowers that is widely cultivated for (1) its long silky bast fibers which when freed from the stem by retting and mechanical processes are used in textile manufacture and are the source of linen and (2) its seeds which yield a valuable oil and a meal used especially for cattle feed — see flaxseed
b. : the bast fiber of the flax plant especially when cleaned and prepared for spinning
2. : any of several plants resembling flax — usually used with a qualifying term
white flax
several toad flaxes
3. : a grayish yellow that is less strong and slightly greener than chamois, lighter and very slightly redder than old ivory, and redder and slightly lighter and stronger than crash — called also peanut, pebble