flail
A tool used for threshing, consisting of a long handle (handstock) with a shorter stick (swipple or swingle) attached with a short piece of chain, thong or similar material.
Other meanings
A weapon which has the (usually spherical) striking part attached to the handle with a flexible joint such as a chain.
Part of a rotating device, often used for cutting vegetation.
A kind of
- implement
Related words
- flail chest
- flail tank
- mine flail
- flaillike
- flailsome
- flaily
Word history
From Old English "fligel".
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “flail” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.