Flāil, n.

n. [O. Fr. flael, flaiel, faial, N. Fr. fléau, from Lat. flagellum, whip, scourge, in Late Lat. a threshing-flail; Ger. flegel, O. H. Ger. flegil, M. H. Ger. & D. vlegel. See FLAGELLATE.] 1. An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club is so hung as to swing freely. His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn. Milton. 2. An ancient military weapon, like the common flail, having the striking part armed with rows of spikes. Fairholt.