flail

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to wave or swing the arms or legs about wildly and uncontrollably

   He flailed his arms trying to keep his balance on the ice.

2. 2
   verb

   to struggle or act in a confused, ineffective way

   Without a clear plan, the team flailed for weeks.

3. 3
   noun

   a hand-held tool formerly used for threshing grain, consisting of a wooden staff with a swinging stick attached

   The farmer beat the wheat with a flail to separate the grain.

From Old English flegel and Latin flagellum ('whip; scourge'); originally the threshing tool, later extended to the verb sense of swinging or thrashing the limbs about wildly.

Topics