From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Flax \Flax\ (fl[a^]ks), n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG.
flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m
twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. ? to weave,
plait. See Ply.]
1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L.
usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a
foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the
bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen,
cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from
the seed.
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2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken
and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
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Earth flax (Min.), amianthus.
Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of
flax from the fibrous.
Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle.
Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in
bicarbonate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared
for bleaching and spinning like cotton. --Knight.
Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares
it for the spinner.
Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen
manufactured.
Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the
field.
Flax wench.
(a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.]
(b) A prostitute. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mountain flax (Min.), amianthus.
New Zealand flax (Bot.) See Flax-plant.
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