flax
nounUK /flaks/ · AU, US /flæks/
Etymology From Middle English flax, from Old English fleax, from Proto-Germanic *flahsą, from Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ- (“to plait”). Cognate with Old Frisian flax, Dutch vlas, Old High German flahs (German Flachs); the Northern Germanic (and most likely the Gothic too) stem is different.
1
A plant of the genus Linum, especially Linum usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. Also known as linseed, especially when referring to the seeds.
2
The fibers of Linum usitatissimum, grown to make linen and related textiles.
3
A flax bush, a plant of the genus Phormium, native to New Zealand, with strap-like leaves up to 3 metres long that grow in clumps.
- Derived terms
26 terms
blue flax, earthflax, false flax, false flax oil, flax bow, flaxbush, flaxcomb, flax cotton, flax dodder, flax-dresser, flaxen, flax-leaved daphne, flaxlike, flax milk, flaxseed, flax seed, flax-stick, flaxweed, flaxwort, flaxy, holy flax, Lewis flax, mountain flax, New Zealand flax, toadflax, wild flax