flay Meaning, Definition & Usage

Flay transitive verb

Etymology

OE. flean, flan, AS. fleán; akin to D. vlaen, Icel. fla, Sw. flå, Dan. flaae, cf. Lith. ples to tear, plyszti, v.i., to burst tear; perh. akin to E. flag to flat stone, flaw.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Flayed ; present participle & verbal noun Flaying

Definitions

1. To skin; to strip off the skin or surface of; as, to flay an ox; to flay the green earth.

   With her nails She 'll flay thy wolfish visage. Shak.