flax (flaks)

[ ult. E. plait, pleat, and ply, q. v.] 1. (a) The common name for plants of the genus Linum and for the fiber obtained from the stems of L. usitati imum. This species, of unknown origin, has been in cultivation from a very remote period, and yields the principal vegetable fiber in popular use over the larger part of the old world. The plant is an annual, with slender stems about two feet tall, which by various proce es are freed from all usele matter, leaving the elongated bast-cells in the form of a soft, silky fiber. This fiber is used in the manufacture of linen thread and cloth, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. The principal sources of supply are Ru ia, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland. The flowers are blue. The seeds, known as linseed and flaxseed, are very mucilaginous, and are used on that account in medicine. They also yield an oil, which is extensively used by painters; and the residue, called linseed- cake, has much value as feed for cattle. The dwarf, fairy, mountain, or purging flax of England is L. cat hart i cum; and the wild flax of the United States, L. Virgin i cum and L. perenne. Flax (Linum usita ti imum ), with section of seed-ve el. Summen so we it thicke in lene lande, And subtile flax ynough thereon wol stande. Palladius , Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 187. Of which line they make their flaxe , and with their flaxe fine Linnen. Coryat , Crudities, I. 132. 2261 She as the learned'st maide was chose by them (Her flaxed hair crown'd with an anadem). W. Browne, Britannia's Pastorals, i. 4. flaxen1 (flak'sn), a. [ME. * flaxen (not found), fleaxen (Somner: not verified) (= MLG. vle en = G. flachsen), fleax , flax, + -en , -en2.] 1. Of flax; made of flax: as, flaxen thread. A double wealth; more rich than Belgium's boast, Who tends the culture of the flaxen reed. Dyer , Fleece, iii. 2. Resembling flax in color, as hair; fair and flowing like flax. His beard as white as snow, flea 2. To frighten. Thou wille be flayede for a flye that one [on] thy flesche lyghttes! Morte Arthure (E. E. T. S.), 1. 2441. Towneley Mysteries, p. 30. Thise grete wordes shalle not lay me. It spak right howe - "My name is Death, But be na fley'd ." II. in trans. To be fear-struck. [Prov. Eng. and Scotch in all uses.] filay2 (fla), n. [ flay2 , v.] 1. Fright; fear.-2. [Only fleg ; prob. orig. a sudden kick, as of a frightened horse.] A kick; a random blow; a Stroke his polish'd cheek of purest red, And lay thine hand upon his flaxen head. Cowper, Tirocinium, 1. 848. Adown the shoulders of the heavenly fair In easy ringlets flowed her flaxen hair. Fawkes , tr. of A poll on i us, Argonautics, iii. 3. Pertaining to flax. Dundee had long been the great centre of the flaxen manufactures. Ure , Dict., III. 120. flaxen2 (flak'sn), v . t . [ flax +-en1. Cf. flax , v .] To beat or thrash. [Prov. Eng.] filax-mill (flaks'mil), n . A mill or factory where flax is spun; a mill for the manufacture of linen goods. flax-puller (flaks'püler), n. Ahorse-power machine for gathering flax-plants from the field. flaxseed (flaks'sēd), n. and a. I. n. 1. The seed of flax; linseed. I'll hie me To Lincoln shire, To sow hemp-seed and flax - seed , And hang them all there. Lord Delaware (Child's Ballads, VII. 314). 2. The Radiola Mille grana, a European plant allied to the common flax, and having similar seed-pods. (See water - flaxseed.) II. a . Resembling a flaxseed: an epithet spe cifically applied to the pupa stage of some insects. Larvæ of He ian fly a ume what is known as the flaxseed stage. Stand. Nat . Hist ., II. 410. Flaxseed ore. Same as dyestone ore. See dyestone. flaxweed (flaks'wēd), n. The toadfiax, Linaria vulgar is.