Fluke - Flutist

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Fluke (flūk), n. [Cf. LG. flunk, flunka wing, the palm of an anchor; perh. akin to E. fly.] 1. The part of an anchor which fastens in the ground; a flook. See .
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2. (Zoöl.) One of the lobes of a whale's tail, so called from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor.
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3. An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for blasting.
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4. An accidental and favorable stroke at billiards (called a scratch in the United States); hence, any accidental or unexpected advantage; as, he won by a fluke. [Cant, Eng.] A. Trollope.
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Fluke (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Fluked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluking (?).] To get or score by a fluke; as, to fluke a play in billiards. [Slang]
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Flukeworm (?), n. (Zoöl.) Same as 1st , 2.
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Fluky (?), a. Formed like, or having, a fluke.
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Flume (f;ūm), n. [Cf. OE. flum river, OF, flum, fr. L. flumen, fr. fluere to flow. √84. See .] A stream; especially, a passage channel, or conduit for the water that drives a mill wheel; or an artifical channel of water for hydraulic or placer mining; also, a chute for conveying logs or lumber down a declivity.
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Fluminous (?), a. [L. flumen, fluminis, river.] Pertaining to rivers; abounding in streama.
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Flummery (?), n. [W. llumru, or llumruwd, a kind of food made of oatmeal steeped in water until it has turned sour, fr. llumrig harsh, raw, crude, fr. llum sharp, severe.] 1. A light kind of food, formerly made of flour or meal; a sort of pap.
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Milk and flummery are very fit for children. Locke.
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2. Something insipid, or not worth having; empty compliment; trash; unsubstantial talk of writing.
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The flummery of modern criticism. J. Morley.
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Flung (?), imp. & p. p. of .
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Flunk (flŭṉk), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flunked (flŭṉkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flunking.] [Cf. .] To fail, as on a lesson; to back out, as from an undertaking, through fear.
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Flunk, v. t. 1. To fail in; to fail to pass (a test, examination, or course of study). [Colloq. U.S.]
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2. To shirk, as a task or duty.
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Flunk, n. A failure or backing out; specifically (College cant), a total failure in a recitation. [U.S.]
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flunk out v. i. to be dismissed (from a school or course of study) due to failure to perform up to the minimum standard.
Syn. -- fail out; wash out. [PJC]

Flunky (flŭṉk�), n.; pl. Flunkies (flŭṉkĭz). [Prob. fr. or akin to flank.] [Written also flunkey.] 1. A contemptuous name for a liveried servant or a footman.
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2. One who is obsequious or cringing; a snob.
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3. One easily deceived in buying stocks; an inexperienced and unwary jobber. [Cant, U.S.]
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Flunkydom (?), n. The place or region of flunkies. C. Kingsley.
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Flunlyism (?), n. The quality or characteristics of a flunky; readiness to cringe to those who are superior in wealth or position; toadyism. Thackeray.
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Fluo- (�). (Chem.) A combining form indicating fluorine as an ingredient; as in fluosilicate, fluobenzene.
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Fluoborate (?), n. [Cf. F. fluoborate.] (Chem.) A salt of fluoboric acid; a fluoboride.
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Fluoboric (?), a. [Fluo- boric: cf. F. fluoborique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or consisting of, fluorine and boron.
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Coloq. Fluoridic acid (Chem.), a double fluoride, consisting essentially of a solution of boron fluoride, in hydrofluoric acid. It has strong acid properties, and is the type of the borofluorides. Called also borofluoric acid.
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Fluoboride (?), n. (Chem.) See .

{ Fluocerine (?), Fluocerite (?) }, n. [Fluo- + cerium.] (Min.) A fluoride of cerium, occuring near Fahlun in Sweden. Tynosite, from Colorado, is probably the same mineral.
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Fluohydric (?), a. [Fluo- + hydrogen.] (Chem.) See .
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Fluophosphate (?), n. [Fluo- + phosphate.] (Chem.) A double salt of fluoric and phosphoric acids.
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Fluor (?), n. [L., a flowing, fr. fluere to flow. See .] 1. A fluid state. [Obs.] Sir I. Newton.
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2. Menstrual flux; catamenia; menses. [Obs.]
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3. (Min.) See .
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Fluor albus (?). [L., white flow.] (Med.) The whites; leucorrhæa.
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Fluoranthene (?), n. [Fluorene + anthracene.] (Chem.) A white crystalline hydrocarbon C15H10, of a complex structure, found as one ingredient of the higher boiling portion of coal tar.
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Fluorated (?), a. (Chem.) Combined with fluorine; subjected to the action of fluoride. [R.]
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Fluorene (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon, C13H10 having a beautiful violet fluorescence; whence its name. It occurs in the higher boiling products of coal tar, and is obtained artificially.
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fluorescein, fluoresceine, fluoresceïn (?), n. (Chem.) A yellowish red, crystalline substance, C20H12O5, produced by heating together phthalic anhydride and resorcin; -- so called, from the very brilliant yellowish green fluorescence of its alkaline solutions. It has acid properties, and its salts of the alkalies are known to the trade under the name of uranin.
Syn. -- fluorescein, fluorescent dye, resorcinolphthalein.
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Fluorescence (?), n. [From .] (Chemistry, Optics) A luminescence emitted by certain substances due to the absorption of radiation at one wavelength, and the almost instantaneous re-emission of radiation at another, usually longer wavelength. The re-radiation stops almost as soon as the incident radiation is halted, thus distinguishing this phenomenon from phosphorescence, in which re-radiation of light may continue for some time after the incident radiation is halted. The color of the radiated light typically differs from the apparent color of the material, as when green crystals of fluor spar afford blue reflections. It is due not to the difference in the color of a distinct surface layer, but to the power which the substance has of modifying the light incident upon it, by first absorbing the light to achieve an excited state, and then radiating light to resume the ground energy level. The light emitted by fluorescent substances is in general of longer wavelength than the incident light. The radiation can also be induced by ionizing radiation which is not electromagnetic, such as alpha or beta rays, and cathode rays. This property is possessed by fluorspar, uranium glass, sulphide of calcium, and many other substances. It finds use in analytical instruments to detect or measure radiation, and in some commercial applications.
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Fluorescent (?), a. Having the property of fluorescence.
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Fluorescin (?), n. (Chem.) A colorless, amorphous substance which is produced by the reduction of fluoresceïn, and from which the latter may be formed by oxidation.
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Fluoric (?), a. [Cf. F. fluorique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, obtained from, or containing, fluorine.
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fluoridate v. t. To subject to fluoridation, as of water; to add fluoride to.
Syn. -- fluoridize.
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fluoridation n. The addition of a fluoride to the water supply (to prevent dental decay).
Syn. -- fluoridization.
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Fluoride (? or ?; 104), n. [Cf. F. fluoride.] (Chem.) A binary compound of fluorine with another element or radical.
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Coloq. Calcium fluoride (Min.), fluorite, CaF2. See .
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fluoridization n. the addition of a fluoride to the water supply (to prevent dental decay).
Syn. -- fluoridation.
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fluoridize v. t. to subject to fluoridation, as of water.
Syn. -- fluoridate.
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Fluorine (flūŏrĭn or flūŏrēn; 104), n. [NL. fluorina: cf. G. fluorin, F. fluorine. So called from its occurrence in the mineral fluorite.] (Chem.) A non-metallic, gaseous element of atomic number 9, strongly acid or negative, and associated with chlorine, bromine, and iodine, in the halogen group of which it is the first member. It always occurs combined, is very active chemically, and possesses such an avidity for most elements, and silicon especially, that it can neither be prepared nor kept in glass vessels, but may be contained in lead vessels. If set free it immediately attacks a containing glass vessel, so that it was not isolated until 1886. It is a pungent, corrosive, colorless gas. Symbol F. Atomic weight 19.00.
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☞ Fluorine unites with hydrogen to form hydrofluoric acid, which is the agent employed in etching glass. It occurs naturally, principally combined as calcium fluoride in fluorite, and as a double fluoride of aluminium and sodium in cryolite.
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Fluorite (?), n. (Min.) Calcium fluoride (CaF2), a mineral of many different colors, white, yellow, purple, green, red, etc., often very beautiful, crystallizing commonly in cubes with perfect octahedral cleavage; also massive. It is used as a flux. Some varieties are used for ornamental vessels. Also called fluor spar, or simply fluor.
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fluorochrome n. Any of various fluorescent substances used in fluorescence microscopy to stain specimens.
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Fluoroid (?), n. [Fluor + -oid.] (Crystallog.) A tetrahexahedron; -- so called because it is a common form of fluorite.
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Fluoroscope (?), n. [Fluorescence + -scope.] 1. (Phys.) An instrument for observing or exhibiting fluorescence.
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2. (Physics) A fluorescent screen, with hood to protect the eyes, used for observing the shadows cast by objects placed in the path of the X rays. -- Fluoroscopic (#), a.
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Fluoroscopy (?), n. Examination of an object, as the human body, by exposing it to the X rays and observing the shadow cast upon a fluorescent screen; cryptoscopy.
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Fluorous (?), a. Pertaining to fluor.
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Fluor spar (?). (Min.) See .
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Fluosilicate (?), n. [Cf. F. fluosilicate.] (Chem.) A double fluoride of silicon and some other (usually basic) element or radical, regarded as a salt of fluosilicic acid; -- called also silicofluoride.
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Fluosilicic (?), a. [Fluo- + silicic: cf. F. fluosilicique.] (Chem.) Composed of, or derived from, silicon and fluorine.
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Coloq. Fluosilicic acid , a double fluoride of hydrogen and silicon, H2F6Si, obtained in solution in water as a sour fuming liquid, and regarded as the type of the fluosilicates; -- called also silicofluoric acid, and hydrofluosilicic acid.
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Flurried (?), a. Agitated; excited. -- Flurriedly adv.
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Flurry (?), n.; pl. Flurries (#). [Prov. E. flur to ruffle.] 1. A sudden and brief blast or gust; a light, temporary breeze; as, a flurry of wind.
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2. A light shower or snowfall accompanied with wind.
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Like a flurry of snow on the whistling wind. Longfellow.
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3. Violent agitation; commotion; bustle; hurry.
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The racket and flurry of London. Blakw. Mag.
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4. The violent spasms of a dying whale.
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Flurry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flurried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flurrying.] To put in a state of agitation; to excite or alarm. H. Swinburne.
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Flurt (?), n. A flirt. [Obs.] Quarles.
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Flush (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flushed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flushing.] [Cf. OE. fluschen to fly up, penetrate, F. fluz a flowing, E. flux, dial. Sw. flossa to blaze, and E. flash; perh. influenced by blush. √84.] 1. To flow and spread suddenly; to rush; as, blood flushes into the face.
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The flushing noise of many waters. Boyle.
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It flushes violently out of the cock. Mortimer.
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2. To become suddenly suffused, as the cheeks; to turn red; to blush.
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3. To snow red; to shine suddenly; to glow.
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In her cheek, distemper flushing glowed. Milton.
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4. To start up suddenly; to take wing as a bird.
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Flushing from one spray unto another. W. Browne.
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Flush, v. t. 1. To cause to be full; to flood; to overflow; to overwhelm with water; as, to flush the meadows; to flood for the purpose of cleaning; as, to flush a sewer.
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2. To cause the blood to rush into (the face); to put to the blush, or to cause to glow with excitement.
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Nor flush with shame the passing virgin's cheek. Gay.
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Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose,
Flushing his brow. Keats.
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3. To make suddenly or temporarily red or rosy, as if suffused with blood.
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How faintly flushed. how phantom fair,
Was Monte Rosa, hanging there! Tennyson.
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4. To excite; to animate; to stir.
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Such things as can only feed his pride and flush his ambition. South.
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5. To cause to start, as a hunter a bird. Nares.
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6. To cause to flow; to draw water from, or pour it over or through (a pond, meadow, sewer, etc.); to cleanse by means of a rush of water.
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Coloq. To flush a joints (Masonry), to fill them in; to point the level; to make them flush.
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Flush, v. i. (Mining) (a) To operate a placer mine, where the continuous supply of water is insufficient, by holding back the water, and releasing it periodically in a flood. (b) To fill underground spaces, especially in coal mines, with material carried by water, which, after drainage, constitutes a compact mass.
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Flush, n. 1. A sudden flowing; a rush which fills or overflows, as of water for cleansing purposes.
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In manner of a wave or flush. Ray.
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2. A suffusion of the face with blood, as from fear, shame, modesty, or intensity of feeling of any kind; a blush; a glow.
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The flush of angered shame. Tennyson.
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3. Any tinge of red color like that produced on the cheeks by a sudden rush of blood; as, the flush on the side of a peach; the flush on the clouds at sunset.
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4. A sudden flood or rush of feeling; a thrill of excitement. animation, etc.; as, a flush of joy.
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5. A flock of birds suddenly started up or flushed.
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6. [From F. or Sp. flux. Cf. .] A hand of cards, all of the same suit; -- especially significant in poker, where five cards of the same suit constitute a flush, which beats a straight but is beaten by a full house or four of a kind.
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Flush, a. 1. Full of vigor; fresh; glowing; bright.
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With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May. Shak.
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2. Affluent; abounding; well furnished or suppled; hence, liberal; prodigal.
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Lord Strut was not very flush in ready. Arbuthnot.
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3. (Arch. & Mech.) Unbroken or even in surface; on a level with the adjacent surface; forming a continuous surface; as, a flush panel; a flush joint.
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4. (Card Playing) Consisting of cards of one suit.
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Coloq. Flush bolt . (a) A screw bolt whose head is countersunk, so as to be flush with a surface. (b) A sliding bolt let into the face or edge of a door, so as to be flush therewith. -- Coloq. Flush deck . (Naut.) See under , n., 1. -- Coloq. Flush tank , a water tank which can be emptied rapidly for flushing drainpipes, etc.
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Flush (?), adv. So as to be level or even.
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Flushboard (?), n. Same as .
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Flusher (?), n. 1. A workman employed in cleaning sewers by flushing them with water.
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2. (Zoöl.) The red-backed shrike. See .
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Flushing, n. 1. A heavy, coarse cloth manufactured from shoddy; -- commonly in the � [Eng.]
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2. (Weaving) A surface formed of floating threads.
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Flushingly, adv. In a flushing manner.
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Flushness, n. The state of being flush; abundance.
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Fluster (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flustered; p. pr. & vb. n. Flustering.] [Cf. Icel. flaustra to be flustered, flaustr a fluster.] To make hot and rosy, as with drinking; to heat; hence, to throw into agitation and confusion; to confuse; to muddle.
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His habit or flustering himself daily with claret. Macaulay.
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Fluster, v. i. To be in a heat or bustle; to be agitated and confused.
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The flstering, vainglorious Greeks. South.
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Fluster, n. Heat or glow, as from drinking; agitation mingled with confusion; disorder.
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Flusteration (?), n. The act of flustering, or the state of being flustered; fluster. [Colloq.]
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Flustrate (?), v. t. [See , v. t.] To fluster. [Colloq.] Spectator.
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Flustration (?), n. The act of flustrating; confusion; flurry. [Colloq.] Richardson.
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Flute (?), n. [OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaüte, flahute, flahuste, F. fl�te; cf. LL. flauta, D. fluit. See , v. i.] 1. A musical wind instrument, consisting of a hollow cylinder or pipe, with holes along its length, stopped by the fingers or by keys which are opened by the fingers. The modern flute is closed at the upper end, and blown with the mouth at a lateral hole.
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The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around. Pope.
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2. (Arch.) A channel of curved section; -- usually applied to one of a vertical series of such channels used to decorate columns and pilasters in classical architecture. See Illust. under , n.
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3. A similar channel or groove made in wood or other material, esp. in plaited cloth, as in a lady's ruffle.
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4. A long French breakfast roll. Simonds.
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5. A stop in an organ, having a flutelike sound.
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Coloq. Flute bit , a boring tool for piercing ebony, rosewood, and other hard woods. -- Coloq. Flute pipe , an organ pipe having a sharp lip or wind-cutter which imparts vibrations to the column of air in the pipe. Knight.
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Flute (flūt), n. [Cf. F. flûte a transport, D. fluit.] A kind of flyboat; a storeship.
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Coloq. Armed en flûte (�) (Nav.), partially armed.
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Flute (?), v. i. [OE. flouten, floiten, OF. flaüter, fleüter, flouster, F. flûter, cf. D. fluiten; ascribed to an assumed LL. flautare, flatuare, fr. L. flatus a blowing, fr. flare to blow. Cf. , , .] To play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound.
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Flute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fluted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluting (?).] 1. To play, whistle, or sing with a clear, soft note, like that of a flute.
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Knaves are men,
That lute and flute fantastic tenderness. Tennyson.
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The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee. Emerson.
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2. To form flutes or channels in, as in a column, a ruffle, etc.
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Flûte à bec (?). [F.] (Mus.) A beak flute, an older form of the flute, played with a mouthpiece resembling a beak, and held like a flageolet.
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Fluted (?), a. 1. Thin; fine; clear and mellow; flutelike; as, fluted notes. Busby.
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2. Decorated with flutes; channeled; grooved; as, a fluted column; a fluted ruffle; a fluted spectrum.
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Flutemouth (?), n. (Zoöl.) A fish of the genus Aulostoma, having a much elongated tubular snout.
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Fluter (?), n. 1. One who plays on the flute; a flutist or flautist.
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2. One who makes grooves or flutings.
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Fluting, n. Decoration by means of flutes or channels; a flute, or flutes collectively; as, the fluting of a column or pilaster; the fluting of a lady's ruffle.
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Coloq. Fluting iron , a laundry iron for fluting ruffles; -- called also Italian iron, or gaufering iron. Knight. -- Coloq. Fluting lathe , a machine for forming spiral flutes, as on balusters, table legs, etc.
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Flutist (?), n. [Cf. F. flûtiste.] A performer on the flute; a flautist. Busby.
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