flax
English
A field of flax (Linum usitatissimum)
Etymology
From Old English fleax, from Proto-Germanic *flahsan, from Proto-Indo-European *plek- (“to plait”). Cognate with Old Frisian flax, Old Saxon *flahs (Dutch vlas), Old High German flahs (German Flachs); the Northern Germanic (and most likely the Gothic too[1]) stem is different.
Pronunciation
Noun
flax (plural flaxes)
- A plant of the genus Linum, especially Linum usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. Also known as linseed, especially when referring to the seeds.
- The fibers of Linum usitatissimum, grown to make linen and related textiles.
- A plant of the genus Phormium, native to New Zealand, with strap-like leaves up to 3 metres long that grow in clumps called flax bushes.
Usage notes
The plural flaxes is used to indicate multiple species or varieties of flax; otherwise, flax is uncountable.
Derived terms
Translations
plant
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the fibers
plant native to New Zealand — see phormium
See also
References
- ^ Etymology in the Deutsches Wörterbuch of Jakob und Wilhelm Grimm: "however, Old Norse hör ... The Gothic word has not been transmitted, but one might guess harvs"