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flail
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As a noun, flail means a tool used for threshing, consisting of a long handle with a shorter stick attached with a short piece of chain, thong or similar material. As a verb, it means beat using a flail or similar implement.
Meanings of flail
7 meaningsnoun
A tool used for threshing, consisting of a long handle with a shorter stick attached with a short piece of chain, thong or similar material.
A weapon which has the (usually spherical) striking part attached to the handle with a flexible joint such as a chain.
verb
To beat using a flail or similar implement.
To wave or swing vigorously
To thresh.
To move like a flail.
“He was flailing wildly, but didn't land a blow.”
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).