flax (fl ks)n. 1. a. A widely cultivated plant, Linum usitatissimum, having pale blue flowers, seeds that yield linseed oil, and slender stems from which a textile fiber is obtained. b. The fine, light-colored textile fiber obtained from this plant. c. Any of various other plants of the genus Linum or of similar or related genera. 2. A pale grayish yellow. [Middle English, from Old English fleax; see plek- in Indo-European roots.] |   flax flower and seed pods (left) and cutaway of stem (right) |
flax [flæks]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any herbaceous plant or shrub of the genus Linum, esp L. usitatissimum, which has blue flowers and is cultivated for its seeds (flaxseed) and for the fibres of its stems: family Linaceae
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) the fibre of this plant, made into thread and woven into linen fabrics
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of various similar plants
4. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) NZ a swamp plant producing a fibre that is used by Maoris for decorative work, baskets, etc.
[Old English fleax; related to Old Frisian flax, Old High German flahs flax, Greek plekein to plait]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  flax - fiber of the flax plant that is made into thread and woven into linen fabriclinen - a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant plant fiber, plant fibre - fiber derived from plants |
| 2. | flax - plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests genus Linum, Linum - a herbaceous plant genus of the family Linaceae with small sessile leaves |
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