Flag

v. i. [imp. & p. p. FLAGGED (flagd); p. pr. & vb. n. FLAGGING.] [Icel. flaka, to droop, hang loosely, O. D. flaggheren, to be loose, allied to Lat. flaccus, flabby, Goth. thlagws, soft to the touch, tender.]

1Sense 1. To hang loose without stiffness; to bend down, as flexible bodies; to be loose and yielding.

The slack sail . . .

As loose it flagged around the mast. T. Moore.

2Sense 2. To grow spiritless or dejected; to droop; to grow languid or weak; to lose vigor; to become dull or languid; to move languidly.

The pleasures of the town begin to flag. Swift.

Flag toward it wearied and saddened. Landor.

Synonyms—To droop; decline; fail; languish; pine.

n. [Allied to Ger. flach, flat. Cf. FLAG-STONE.] A flat stone used for paving. Woodward.

v. t. To lay with flat stones.

The sides and floor were all flagged with . . . marble. Sandys.

n. [From flag, to hang loose, to bend down.] (Bot.) An aquatic plant, with long, ensiform leaves, belonging to the genus Iris or Acorus.

v. t. To plant or furnish with the flag.

The waters are flagged about with calamus. Evelyn.

n. [L. & H. Ger. flagge, Icel. & Sw. flagg, Sw. flagga, Dan. flag, D. vlag. See FLAG, v. i.] That which flags or hangs down loosely; an ensign or colors; a banner by which one party or company are distinguished; a standard on which are certain emblems indicative of nationality, party, or opinion.

Black flag, a flag of a black color, displayed as a sign that no mercy will be shown to the vanquished, or that no quarter will be given. — Flag of truce, a white flag carried or displayed to an enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose of making some communication not hostile. — Red flag, a flag of a red color, displayed as a sign of defiance and invitation to battle. — To hang out the white flag, to ask quarter, or, in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a flag of a white color. — To hang the flag half-mast high, or half-staff, to raise it only half way to the top of the mast or staff, as a token or sign of mourning. — To strike or lower the flag, to pull it down upon the cap, in token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender.