flap

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   move noisily

   flags flapped in the strong wind

2. 2
   verb

   move with a flapping motion

   The bird's wings were flapping

3. 3
   verb

   move with a thrashing motion

   The bird flapped its wings

4. 4
   noun

   Anything broad and flexible that hangs loose, or that is attached by one side or end and is easily moved.

   a flap of a garment

5. 5
   noun

   A hinged leaf.

   the flaps of a table

6. 6
   noun

   The motion of anything broad and loose, or a sound or stroke made with it.

   the flap of a sail

7. 7
   noun

   A controversy, scandal, stir, or upset.

   The comment caused quite a flap in the newspapers.

8. 8
   noun

   A blow or slap (especially to the face).

   1450, Palladius on Husbondrieː Ware the horn and heels lest they fling a flap to thee.

Etymology

From Middle English flap, flappe (“a slap; blow; buffet; fly-flap; something flexible or loose; flap”), related to Saterland Frisian Flappert (“wing, flipper”), Middle Dutch flabbe (“a blow; slap on the face; fly-flap; flap”) (modern Dutch flap (“flap”)), Middle Low German flabbe, vlabbe, flebbe, from the verb (see below). Related also to English flab and flabby.