flush (flush)

t. [Nearly always in the pp., in such expre ions as "flushed with succe ," erence to birds, seems to have a natural connection with flush8, able to fly; but flush8 is a modern and corrupt form; the ME. forms of the two words are far apart.] I. in trans. To fly out suddenly, as a bird when disturbed; start up or fly off. The blernyed boynard [blear-eyed rascal] Made the Fawcon to ffloter and fflu h ffor anger. Richard the Redcle , ii. 166. There fliste ut a buterflize on min ize. Floriz and Blauncheflur (E. E. T. S.), 1. 473. I make them to flush , Each owl out of his bush. B. Jonson, Masque of Owls. So flushing from one spray unto another, Gets to the top, and then embolden'd flies Unto a height past ken of human eyes. W. Browne, Britannia's Pastorals, i. 4. II. trans. In sporting , to rouse and cause to start up or fly off; spring: as, to flush a woodcock; to flush a covey; to flush the trout. Spaniels,... for the purpose of flushing the game. Strutt , Sports and Pastimes, p. 84. The full po e ion of the Tenne ee River by the Union gun-boats for the moment hopele ly divided the Confederate commands, and like a flushed covey of birds the rebel generals started on ti eir several lines of retreat without concert or rallying point. The Century, XXXVI. 662. [ flush5 (flush), n . starting or flushing a bird.-2. A bird, or a flock of birds, suddenly started or sprung. As when a Faulcon hath with nimble flight Flowne at a flush of Ducks foreby the brooke. Spenser, F. Q., V. ii. 54.