I. ˈflər]t, -lə̄], -ləi], usu ]d.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: origin unknown
transitive verb
1. : to throw with a jerk or quick effort : fling suddenly : flip , flick
they flirt water in each other's faces
flirted the ball from his left hand
2. obsolete : to tap smartly
3. : to toss or throw about jerkily : open out or close briskly
flirt a fan
a bird flirts its tail
4. obsolete : to jeer at : treat with contempt : mock
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to turn up the nose (as in contempt)
2.
a. : to move jerkily or by fits and starts : dart , flit
butterflies flirting among the flowers
b. of an arrow : to move suddenly out of the line of flight
3.
a. obsolete : to turn inconstantly from one thing to another
b. : to play at courtship : act the lover without serious intent : coquet ; often : to trifle amorously especially in discourse
c. : to evince superficial interest or liking : pay casual or spurious attention — used with with
flirting with the idea
a man who flirted with all the arts but mastered none
reactionary right-wing groups that flirted with the fascists
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. now dialect : a quick blow : flick , tap
b. obsolete : a turn or stroke of wit especially when sharp or mocking : a witty jeer or gibe
2. : a sudden sharp or darting movement
dusted the table with a flirt of the cloth
sometimes : a quick throw or throwing movement : toss
released the ball with a flirt of his wrist
3.
a. archaic : an inconstant, giddy, pert, or wanton person
b. : a person that flirts amorously : coquette
4. : a device (as a lever) for causing sudden or intermittent motion: as
a. : a lever used in some chime clocks to knock up the quarter-rack hook
b. : a lever that stops the balance in a chronograph
III. intransitive verb
: to come close to
the temperature flirted with 100°