Flăx, n.
n. [A-S. fleax, O. H. Ger. flahs, M. H. Ger. vlahs, N. H. Ger. flachs, D. vlas, from the same root with Ger. flechten, to braid, plait, twist.]
Sense 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Linum (L. usitatissimum), having a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, &c. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed.
Sense 2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.
