flags

flag ¹  (flg)

n.

1. A piece of cloth, usually rectangular, of distinctive color and design, used as a symbol, standard, signal, or emblem.

2. National or other allegiance, as symbolized by a flag: ships of the same flag.

3. A ship carrying the flag of an admiral; a flagship.

4. A marking device, such as a gummed strip of paper, attached to an object to attract attention or ease identification; a tab.

5. The masthead of a newspaper.

6. Music A cross stroke that halves the value of a note to which it is added.

7. A distinctively shaped or marked tail, as of a dog or deer.

8. Computer Science A variable or memory location that stores true-or-false, yes-or-no information.

tr.v. flagged, flag·ging, flags

1. To mark with a flag or flags for identification or ornamentation: flag a parade route; flagging parts of a manuscript for later review.

2.

a. To signal with or as if with a flag.

b. To signal to stop: flag down a passing car.

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[Origin unknown.]

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flagger n.

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flag ²  (flg)

n.

A plant, such as an iris or cattail, that has long sword-shaped leaves.

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[Middle English flagge, reed, of Scandinavian origin.]

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flag ³  (flg)

intr.v. flagged, flag·ging, flags

1. To hang limply; droop.

2. To decline in vigor or strength: The conversation flagged.

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[Possibly of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flögra, to flap about.]

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flag ⁴  (flg)

n.

A flagstone.

tr.v. flagged, flag·ging, flags

To pave with slabs of flagstone.

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[Middle English flagge, piece of turf, from Old Norse flaga, slab of stone; see plk-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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flags [flægz]

pl n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Rare the long feathers on the leg of a hawk or falcon

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Flags

semaphore

any of various types of signaling systems using flags, mechanical arms, etc. — semaphorist, n. — semaphoric, semaphorical, adj.

telelograph

a modified version of the semaphore, introduced at the end of the eighteenth century.

vexillary

a standard bearer.

vexillology

the study of flags and flag design. — vexillologist, n. — vexillological, adj.

vexillum

1. a military Standard or banner carried by ancient Roman troops.
2. the men serving under such a banner.