flesh Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
  2. noun alternative names for the body of a human being
    form; figure; soma; frame; physique; material body; anatomy; shape; chassis; build; human body; physical body; bod.
    • Leonardo studied the human body
    • he has a strong physique
    • the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
  3. noun a soft moist part of a fruit
    pulp.
  4. verb remove adhering flesh from (hides) when preparing leather manufacture

WordNet

Flesh noun
Etymology
OE. flesch, flesc, AS. flsc; akin to OFries. flask, D. vleesch, OS. flsk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fläsk.
Definitions
  1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles. ✍ In composition it is mainly albuminous proteinaceous, but contains in adition a large number of crystalline bodies, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also rich in phosphate of potash.
  2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish.
    With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread. Chaucer.
  3. The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person.
    As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were brass impregnable. Shak.
  4. The human eace; mankind; humanity.
    All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Gen. vi. 12.
  5. Human nature: (a) In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.
    There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. Cowper.
    (b) In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality. (c) (Theol.) The character under the influence of animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by spiritual influences.
  6. Kindred; stock; race.
    He is our brother and our flesh. Gen. xxxvii. 27.
  7. The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten. ✍ Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound.
Flesh transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Fleshed ; present participle & verbal noun Fleshing
Definitions
  1. To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; -- from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first time.
    Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword. Shak.
    The wild dog Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent. Shak.
  2. To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom. "Fleshed in triumphs." Glanvill.
    Old soldiers Fleshed in the spoils of Germany and France. Beau. & Fl.
  3. (Leather Manufacture) To remove flesh, membrance, etc., from, as from hides.

Webster 1913