Flatting

flat ¹  (flt)

adj. flat·ter, flat·test

1. Having a horizontal surface without a slope, tilt, or curvature.

2. Having a smooth, even, level surface: a skirt sewed with fine flat seams.

3. Having a relatively broad surface in relation to thickness or depth: a flat board. See Synonyms at level.

4. Stretched out or lying at full length along the ground; prone.

5. Free of qualification; absolute: a flat refusal.

6. Fixed; unvarying: a flat rate.

7. Lacking interest or excitement; dull: a flat scenario.

8.

a. Lacking in flavor: a flat stew that needs salt.

b. Having lost effervescence or sparkle: flat beer.

9.

a. Deflated. Used of a tire.

b. Electrically discharged. Used of a storage battery.

10. Of or relating to a horizontal line that displays no ups or downs and signifies the absence of physiological activity: A flat electroencephalogram indicates a loss of brain function.

11. Commercially inactive; sluggish: flat sales for the month.

12. Unmodulated; monotonous: a flat voice.

13. Lacking variety in tint or shading; uniform: "The sky was bright but flat, the color of oyster shells" Anne Tyler.

14. Not glossy; mat: flat paint.

15. Music

a. Being below the correct pitch.

b. Being one half step lower than the corresponding natural key: the key of B flat.

16. Designating the vowel a as pronounced in bad or cat.

17. Nautical Taut. Used of a sail.

adv.

1.

a. Level with the ground; horizontally.

b. On or up against a flat surface; at full length.

2. So as to be flat.

3.

a. Directly; completely: went flat against the rules; flat broke.

b. Exactly; precisely: arrived in six minutes flat.

4. Music Below the intended pitch.

5. Business Without interest charge.

n.

1. A flat surface or part.

2. A stretch of level ground. Often used in the plural: salt flats.

3. A shallow frame or box for seeds or seedlings.

4. A movable section of stage scenery, usually consisting of a wooden frame and a decorated panel of wood or cloth.

5. A flatcar.

6. A deflated tire.

7. A shoe with a flat heel.

8. A large flat piece of mail.

9. A horse that competes in a flat race. Also called runner.

10. Music

a. A sign () used to indicate that a note is to be lowered by a half step.

b. A note that is lowered a half step.

11. Football The area of the field to either side of an offensive formation.

v. flat·ted, flat·ting, flats

v.tr.

1. To make flat; flatten.

2. Music To lower (a note) a semitone.

v.intr. Music

To sing or play below the proper pitch.

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[Middle English, from Old Norse flatr; see plat- in Indo-European roots.]

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flatly adv.

flatness n.