flax

[ flaks ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Linum, especially L. usitatissimum, a slender, erect, annual plant having narrow, lance-shaped leaves and blue flowers, cultivated for its fiber and seeds.
2. the fiber of this plant, manufactured into linen yarn for thread or woven fabrics.
3. any of various plants resembling flax.

flax

/ flæks /

noun

1. any herbaceous plant or shrub of the genus Linum , esp L. usitatissimum , which has blue flowers and is cultivated for its seeds (flaxseed) and for the fibres of its stems: family Linaceae
2. the fibre of this plant, made into thread and woven into linen fabrics
3. any of various similar plants
4. Also calledharakeke a swamp plant producing a fibre that is used by Māoris for decorative work, baskets, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of flax¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English fleax; cognate with Dutch, Low German vlas, German Flachs

Word History and Origins

Origin of flax¹

Old English fleax ; related to Old Frisian flax , Old High German flahs flax, Greek plekein to plait

Example Sentences

But a host of other row crops are also used as a source of oils, including cotton, corn, safflower, peanut and flax.

From Salon

Examples of food provided in the breast cancer clinical trial included peanut soba noodles, steel cut oatmeal, banana flax muffins, sweet potato enchiladas, and Mediterranean white bean soup.

From Science Daily

Over the past five years, they built a 700-acre organic farm in eastern France where they grow wheat, rye, lentils, flax, sunflowers and other crops, as well as raising cattle.

From New York Times

Must Farm's residents used the local woodlands -- evidence suggests within a two-mile radius -- to hunt boar and deer, graze sheep, and harvest crops such as wheat and flax as well as wood for construction.

From Science Daily

Or add in some ground flax to the dry ingredients.

From Salon

Related Words

• cord
• cotton
• filament
• silk
• strand
• string
• wire
• wool
• yarn