flaw

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   defect or weakness in a person's character

   They had their flaws, as did anybody, but they were great nonetheless.

2. 2
   noun

   an imperfection in an object or machine

   a flaw caused the crystal to shatter

3. 3
   noun

   A crack or breach, a gap or fissure; a defect of continuity or cohesion.

   There is a flaw in that knife.

4. 4
   noun

   A defect, fault, or imperfection, especially one that is hidden.

   Has not this also its flaws and its dark side?

5. 5
   noun

   A sudden burst or gust of wind of short duration; windflaw.

   And snow and haile and stormie gust and flaw

6. 6
   noun

   A sudden burst of noise and disorder

   And deluges of armies from the town / Come pouring in; I heard the mighty flaw.

7. 7
   noun

   an imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness

8. 8
   verb

   add a flaw or blemish to

Etymology

From Middle English *flaugh, from Middle Dutch vlāghe or Middle Low German vlāge, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *flagā. Or, possibly of North Germanic origin, from Swedish flaga (“gust of wind”), from Old Norse flaga; all from Proto-Germanic *flagǭ (“blow, strike”). See modern Dutch vlaag (“gust of wind”).