flapdoodle 
"Tlie ucMtlrinan li;is ratrn im small iiiiantity nf tlai>il<>- 
:!!: in hi- lifi'tini,-." "What's that?" . . . "It's the stuff 
tlicy ftrtd fools on." MttrriHit, I'etcr Simple, xxviii. 
l''l(rjl<}rl[i-, tlR-y call it, what luuls art; fed <m. 
T. Iluijlm, Tulil IJn.wn at Oxford, xli. 
2. Transparent pretense or nonsense, as gross 
flattery, nonsensical talk, or foolish boasting. 
flap-door (flap'dor), n. A form of door with the 
hinges on the lower side, so that it opens down- 
ward and outward. Also called falling door. 
flapdragon (nap'drag"on), . [< flap + dragon. 
Also called sim/Hlmuon. q. v. The alhision is to 
the popular 'fiery dragon' or firedrake.] 1. A 
play in which the players snatch plums, raisins, 
or other things out of burning brandy or spirits, 
and swallow them; snapdragon; also, the ma- 
terials for the game. 
Slabbing nf arms, flap-dragons, healths, whiffs, and all 
such swaggering humours. 
E. Jonson, Cynthia's Revels, v., Palinode. 
I'll go afore, and have the bonfire made, 
My fireworks, and flap-dragons, and good backrack. 
Fletcher, beggars' Bush, v. 2. 
2. A plum, raisin, or other thing to be snatched 
from the burning liquor in playing flapdragon. 
See the extracts. 
He ... drinks off candles' ends for flap-dragons. 
Shak., 2 Hen. IV., ii. 4. 
Flap-dragons are plums, Ac., placed in a shallow dish 
filled with some spirituous liquor, out of which, when set 
on fire, they are to be dextrously snatched with the month. 
This elegant amusement was once more common ill Eng- 
land than it is at present, and has been at all times a fa- 
vourite one in Holland. Thus in Ram Alley : " My brother 
swallows it with more ease than a Dutchman does flap- 
dragons. " 
Gi/ord, Note to B. Jonson's Cynthia's Revels, v., Palinode. 
Such were flap-dragons, which were small combustible 
bodies fired at one end and floated in a glass of liquor, 
which an experienced toper swallowed unharmed, while 
yet blazing. /. D' Israeli, Curios, of Lit., III. 31. 
flapdragont (flap'tfrag''^), v. t. [< flapdragon, 
n.J To swallow at one gulp; snatch and de- 
vour, as in the play of flapdragon. 
To make an end of the ship ; to see how the sea flap- 
draymiedit. Shale., W. T., iii. 3. 
flap-eared (flap'erd), a. [< flap + earl + -!.] 
Having broad, loose, flapping ears. 
A ... beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave ! 
Shak., T. of the S., IT. 1. 
flapjack (flap'jak), . [< flap + jack, used 
vaguely.] A cake of batter baked on a griddle. 
in a shallow pan, or on aboard: so called from 
the practice of tossing the cake into the air 
when it is done on one side, by a dexterous 
movement of the griddle, in such a manner as 
to turn it over and catch it again flat upon the 
griddle with the baked side uppermost. Also 
flipjack. 
We'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and 
moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks. Shak., Pericles, ii. 1. 
Untill at last, by the skill of the cooke, it is transform'd 
into the forme of a flap-jack, which in our translation is 
cald a pancake. John Taylor, Jack-a-lent, i. 116. 
flap-keeper (flap 'ke" per), . A man whose 
duty it is to open the flaps of a sewer to allow 
the escape of sewage at low tide. 
flap-mouthed (flap'moutht), a. Having loose, 
hanging lips, as a dog. 
When he [a hound] hath ceased his ill-resounding noise, 
Another flap-inoutlid mourner, black and grim, 
Against the welkin volleys out his voice. 
Shak., Venus and Adonis, 1. 920. 
flapper (flap'er), n. 1. One who or that which 
flaps. 
It would be as a rudder to stirre and conduct him into 
a secure port, and an effectual! flapper to drive away the 
flies of all worldly vanities. 
Bencenuto, Passengers' Dialogues (1612). 
In each bladder was a small quantity of dried peas, or 
little pebbles, as I was afterwards informed. With these 
bladders they now and then flapped the mouths and ears 
of those who stood near them, of which practice I could 
not then conceive the meaning. It seems the minds of 
these people [the dreamy philosophers of Laputa] are so 
taken up with intense speculations, that they neither can 
speak, nor attend to the discourses of others, without be- 
ing roused by some external application to the organs of 
speech and hearing ; for which reason those persons who 
are able to afford it always keep a flapper . . . in their 
family as one of their domestics. . . . This flapper is like- 
wise employed diligently to attend his master in his walks, 
and upon occasion to give him a soft flap on his eyes. 
Smjt, Gulliver's Travels, iii. 
2. A reminder; something designed to fix or 
divert the attention: in allusion to the flappers 
of Laputa. See extract from Swift, above. 
[Humorous.] 
I write to you, by way of flapjier, to put you in mind of 
yourself. Chesterfield. 
3. A young bird when first trying its wings; 
especially, a young wild duck which cannot fly, 
but flaps along on the water. 
2254 
Some young men down lately to a pond ... to hunt 
lln/t/n-rs or young wild ducks. n:n,,-rl While. 
A ^Mid bair can lie iiiink- at them in the fall, both ann;ii.u r 
the young fafflgtm . . . ami aluon.u' tin- Iliulits uf wild 
duck. T. Roosevelt, Hunting Trips, p. ."4. 
4. Same as flapper-skate. 5. pi. Very long 
shoes worn by negro minstrels. 
flapper-skate (flap'er-ek&t), . A local Eng- 
lish and Scotch name of species of liaia or ray, 
as the Baia macrorhyncha and Ii. ////'<</. 
flappett(flap'et), n. l<flnp + -ft. Cf.flackct 1 .] 
A flap or edge, as of a counter. 
What brave spirit could be content to sit in bis shop, 
with nflappet of wood and a blue apron before him, sell- 
ing mithridatum and dragon's-water to visited houses, 
that might pursue feats of arms? 
Beau, and Fl., Knight of Burning Pestle, i. 3. 
flappisht (flap ' ish), a. [< flap + -//!.] Dis- 
posed to flap ; in active irregular motion. 
I see your keys ! see a fool's head of your own : had I kept 
them I warrant they had teen forthcoming: you are so 
flajij'ixli, you throw 'em up and down at your tail. 
Sir R. Howard, The Committee, iv. 
flaptail (flap'tal), w. An American monkey 
the tail of which is not prehensile: distinguish- 
ed from clutchtail. 
flap-tile (flap'til), n. A tile a part of which is 
bent up to form a corner or receive a drip. 
flap-valve (flap'valv), n. A clack-valve; a 
valve hinged on one side. 
flare (flar), v. ; pret. and pp. flared, ppr.fltii-ini/. 
[Of Scand. origin : < Norw. flara, blaze, flame, 
adorn with tinsel, = 8w. dial, flora upp, blaze up 
suddenly (cf. 'E. flare up) ; the older form (with 
orig. s) in Sw. dial.flasa, burn furiously, blaze : 
see flash 1 .'] I. intrans. 1. To shine out with 
sudden and unsteady light, luster, or splendor ; 
give out a dazzling light. 
When the sun begins to fling 
His flaring beams. 3lilton, II 1'enseroao, 1. 132. 
2. To waver; flutter; burn with an unsteady 
light, as flame in a current of air; hence, to 
flutter, as such flame does ; flutter with gaudy 
show. 
With ribbons pendant, flaring 'bout her head. 
Shak., M. W. of W., Iv. 6. 
Like flaring tapers, brightening as they waste. 
Goldsmith, Traveller, 1. 400. 
Our last light, that long 
Had wink'd and threateu'd darkneRs,yfra/ and fell. 
Tennyson, Morte d'Arthnr. 
3. To open or spread outward, like the mouth 
of a trumpet. 4. To incline outward from a 
perpendicular, as a ship's sides or bows, or any 
similar formation : opposed to tumble home To 
flare up ; to burn high by a sudden impulse ; hence, to be- 
come suddenly angry or excited ; fly into a passion. 
Crime will not fail to flare np from men's hearts 
While hearts are men's, and so born criminal. 
Brotming, Ring and Book, I. 102. 
II. trans. To cause to burn with a flaring 
flame; hence, to display glaringly; exhibit in 
an ostentatious manner. 
One mortal, one nation or generation of mortals, may 
flare a flambeau, and another twinkle a taper. 
Sir W. Hamilton. 
flare (flar), w. 1. Aglaring, unsteady, wavering 
light ; a glare : as, the flare of an expiring can- 
dle. 
In the hollow down by the flare. 
Dickens, Our Mutual Friend, I. 31. 
2. A spreading outward ; a terminal or a con- 
tinuous broadening, as of a trumpet or a lily, 
the side of a vessel of any kind, etc. 3. In 
photog., same as ghost, S. 
Flare or ghost in the camera is an indistinct image of 
the diaphragm. Lea, Photography, p. 91. 
4. Ostentation. 
Too modest for business push and flare, he kept in the 
background while others gained by his labor. 
Set. Amer., N. S., LVIII. 21. 
= Syn. 1. Glare, etc. See name, n. 
flare-tin (flar'tin), n. 'Same as flash-pan, 2. 
There was a flare-tin aboard, and from time to time we 
burned this over the rail, the turpentine making a great 
glare that illuminated the brig from the eyes to the taff- 
rail. W. C. Rmsell, Jack's Courtship, xlvi. 
flare-up (flar'up), n. [< flare up, verb phrase, 
q. v., under flare, v.~] 1. A sudden flashing or 
flaring of flame or light. 2. A sudden quarrel 
or angry argument. [Colloq.] 
flaring (flar 'ing), p. a. 1. Blazing; burning 
unsteadily. 2. Gaudy; showy; flashy. 
Her chaste and modest vail, surrounded with celestial 
beams, they over-laid with wanton tresses, and in a flar- 
ing tire bespeckl'd her with all the gaudy allurements of 
a whore. Milton, Reformation in Eng., i. 
flaringly (flar'Lng-li), adv. Flutteringly ; show- 
ily. 
flash 
flash 1 (flash), r. [The several words spelled 
flush are somewhat confused with one another. 
/Vi/s/fl, v., is prob. of Scand. origin: Sw. dial. 
flaisa, burn furiously, blaze: see flare, .] I. in- 
Ifiiim. 1. To burst into sudden flame; specifi- 
cally, to ignite and flare up with sudden and 
transient brilliancy ; emit a bright flame for a 
moment: as, the /(/s/HH^-point of oil; the pow- 
der /os/ierf in the pan. 
\\ 'herof cometh that horiblc and broade jlashiny flame 
of fyre? It spronge of one litel sparke. 
J. Udall, On Jaa. iii. 
The quality of an oil may be tested by chemical analy- 
sis; by measurement of density and viscosity; by obser- 
vation of the temperature necessary for ignition in the 
atmosphere, or, as it is called, the flashiiui temperature. 
Encyc. Brit., XV. 35. 
2. To burst forth with sudden brilliancy ; break 
out in a transient or variable gleam or glitter; 
emit flashes ; gleam : as, the lightning flashed 
continually. 
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull, 
Wliich flashes now a pha'iiix. 
Shak.,1. of A.,ii. 1. 
There the lake 
Spread its blue sheet thaty!as/ierf with many an oar. 
llri/ant. The Ages, st. 30. 
His gray eyes 
Flashing with fire of warlike memories. 
William Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. 423. 
3. To burst suddenly into view or perception ; 
come or appear instantaneously : as, the scene 
flashed upon his sight ; the solution of the prob- 
lem flashed into his mind. 
Upon me flank' d 
The power of prophesying. Tennyson, Tin-Bias. 
Then flash the wings returning Summer calls 
Through the deep arches of her forest halls. 
O. W. Holmes, Spring. 
4. To burst suddenly into action; break out 
with sudden force or violence. 
Every hour 
He flashes into one gram crime or other, 
That sets us all at odds. Shak., Lear, i. S. 
For while he linger'd there, 
A doubt that ever smoulder'd in the hearts 
Of those great Lords and Barons of his realm 
Flash'd forth and into war. 
Tennyson, Coming of Arthur. 
5. To come, move, or pass in a flashing man- 
ner; act as if in or by a flash: as, the dog 
flashed by in hot pursuit. 
Eider-ducks flashed out of the water, the father of the 
family as usual the first to fly, and leaving wife and chil- 
dren to take care of themselves. Froude, Sketches, p. 71. 
6. In glass-making, to expand, as blown glass, 
into a disk. See flashing!, 1 To flash In the 
pan. (a) To flash and go out so suddenly as not to ignite 
the charge : said of the powder in the pan of a flint-lock 
firearm when fired ineffectually, and also of the arm itself. 
(6) Hence, to fail after a showy or pretentious effort ; act 
or strive without result ; give up suddenly without accom- 
plishing anything. 
II. traiu. 1. To emit or send forth in a sud- 
den flash or flashes ; cause to appear with sud- 
den glitter. 
But now her cheek was pale, and by and by 
It flash'd forth fire, as lightning from the sky. 
Shak., Venus and Adonis, 1. 348. 
The chariot of paternal Deity, 
Flashing thick flames. 
Milton, P. L., vi. 751. 
2. To cause to flame up suddenly, as by igni- 
tion; produce a flash from. 
A small portion [of gunpowder] is roughly granulated, 
and flashed on plates of glass or porcelain. 
Encyc. Brit., XI. 325. 
3. To convey or send by instantaneous com- 
munication; cause to appear or be perceived 
suddenly or startlingly : as, to flash a message 
over the wires (of a telegraph). 
Then suddenly regain the prize, 
And flash thanksgivings to the skies. 
Cowper, Annus Memorabilia. 
For so the words were flash'd into his heart, 
He knew not whence or wherefore. 
Tennyson, Pelleas and Ettarre. 
4. To cause to appear flashy; trick up in a 
showy manner ; streak ; stripe. [Rare.] 
Limning taui flashing it with various dyes. 
A. Brewer, Lingua, i. 1. 
5. In glass-making, to expand to a flat disk, as 
the blown globe or mass of glass, by revolv- 
ing it in front of the furnace-mouth, which 
keeps it hot and ductile ; hence, to apply a 
film of colored glass to by this process. See 
flashing 1 , 1. 
There is a kind of coloured glass made by having a thin 
stratum of coloured glass melted or flashed on one side of 
an ordinary sheet of clear glass. Ure, Diet., II. 298. 
On the other hand, extreme brilliancy of surface, as- 
cribed by some to the effect of the flashing furnace, is a 
characteristic of this [crown] glass. Glass-making, p. 126. 
