flaying (flaing)

[Verbal n. of flay2, v.] 1. The act of frightening.-2. An apparition or hobgoblin. obgoblin. Brockett. [Prov. Eng.] flayret, n. See flair2 . flaysome (fla's um), a . [ flay2 + -some .] Ter- rifying; frightful. [Prov. Eng. and Scotch.] Shoo'l not oppen 't an ye mak yer flaysome dins till neeght. E. Bronte , Wuthering Heights, ii. fleal (fle), n. [Early mod. E. also flee; fleel. Not connected with fly1, v., or fly2, n.] 1. An insect of the genus Pulex, regarded by ento IMG:content-1468.png:[graphic][subsumed] Common Flea ( Pulex irritans ). (Line shows natural size.) mologists as representing a distinct order Apha nipter a, so called because the wings are inconspicuous scales. All the species of the genus are very similar to the common flea, P. irritans, which has two eyes and six long and stout legs, feelers like threads, and the oral appendages modified into piercing stylets and a suctorial proboscis. The flea is remarkable for its agility, making mal, and its bite is very troublesome. leaps in proportion to its size than any other What eyleth thee to slepe by the mor we? Hastow had fleen al nyght or artow dronke,... So that thou mayst nat holden vp thyn heed? Chaucer, Prol. to Manciple's Tale, 1. 17. Flen , flyys, and freres [ fleas , flies, and friars] populum Domini cædunt [afflict the people of the Lord]. Reliquiæ Antiquæ , I. 91. That's a valiant flea , that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion. Shak ., Hen. V., iii. 7. 2. pl . The family Pulicida , or order Aphanip tera. See these words.-3. A file a-beetle; a saltatorial beetle of the genus Haltica , as H. nemorum , which injures the turnip, and is also called turnip - flea and turnip - fly .-4. Any amphipod crustacean which jumps like a flea; a sand hopper; a scud. See beach - flea . A flea in one's ear, something in mind that causes special attention or interest, particularly of a disagreeable kind, as an annoying suggestion or hint; especially, an irritating or mortifying rebuff or repulse: as, to put a flea in one's ear. But so sone as she had gotten her desired pray, she gave them a rose marie wipe, dismi ing them and sending them away with fleas in their eares , vtterly disa pointed of their IMG:content-1469.png:[blocks in formation] Congreve, Way of the World, iv. 9. It's lang since sleeping was fley'd frae me. Kinmont Willie (Child's Ballads, VI. 65). flea2t, v . t. An obsolete form of flayı . fleabane