Flake (?), n. [Etym. uncertain; cf. 1st
Fake.]
A flat layer, or fake, of a coiled cable.
Flake after flake ran out of the tubs, until we were compelled to hand the end of our line to the second mate.
F. T. Bullen.
Flake , v. i. To separate in flakes; to peel or scale off.
Flake , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flaked (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Flaking.]
To form
into flakes. Pope.
Flake (flāk), n. [Cf. Icel. flakna to flake off,
split, flagna to flake off, Sw. flaga flaw, flake, flake plate, Dan. flage snowflake.
Cf. Flag a flat stone.]
1. A loose
filmy mass or a thin
chiplike layer of anything; a film; flock; lamina; layer; scale; as, a
flake of snow, tallow, or fish. "Lottle flakes
of scurf." Addison.
Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat.
Evelyn. 2. A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter,
darted from a fire; a flash.
With flakes of ruddy fire.
Somerville. 3. (Bot.) A sort of carnation with only two colors in the flower, the petals having large stripes.
Flake knife
(Archæol.), a cutting instrument used
by savage tribes, made of a flake or chip
of hard stone. Tylor. -- Flake stand, the cooling tub or vessel
of a still worm. Knight. --
Flake white. (Paint.) (a)
The purest white lead, in the form of flakes or scales. (b)
The trisnitrate of bismuth. Ure.
Flake (flāk), n. [Cf. Icel. flaki, fleki, Dan. flage, D.
vlaak.]
1. A paling; a hurdle. [prov. Eng.]
2.
A platform of hurdles, or small sticks made fast or interwoven, supported by stanchions, for drying codfish and other things.
You shall also, after they be ripe,
neither suffer them to have
straw nor fern under them, but lay
them either upon some smooth table, boards, or flakes of wands, and they will
last the longer.
English Husbandman. 3.
(Naut.) A small stage hung over a vessel's side, for workmen to stand on in calking, etc.
Hear it pronounced