flax

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem

2. 2
   noun

   fiber of the flax plant that is made into thread and woven into linen fabric

3. 3
   noun

   A plant of the genus Linum, especially Linum usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. Also known as linseed, especially when referring to the seeds.

4. 4
   noun

   The fibers of Linum usitatissimum, grown to make linen and related textiles.

5. 5
   noun

   A flax bush, a plant of the genus Phormium, native to New Zealand, with strap-like leaves up to 3 metres long that grow in clumps.

6. 6
   name

   A surname.

Etymology

From Middle English flax, from Old English fleax, from Proto-Germanic *flahsą, from Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ- (“to plait”). Cognate with Old Frisian flax, Dutch vlas, Old High German flahs (German Flachs); the Northern Germanic (and most likely the Gothic too) stem is different.