flèche

[ fleysh; French flesh ]

noun

, plural flè·ches [fley, -shiz, flesh].

1. Architecture. a steeple or spire, especially one in the Gothic style, emerging from the ridge of a roof.
2. Fortification. a fieldwork consisting of two faces forming a salient angle with an open gorge.
3. Fencing. a method of attack with saber or épée in which the attacker leaves from the rear foot and advances rapidly toward the opponent.

flèche

/ flɛʃ; fleɪʃ /

noun

1. Also calledspirelet a slender spire, esp over the intersection of the nave and transept ridges of a church roof
2. a pointed part of a fortification directed towards the attackers
3. fencing a short running attack

Word History and Origins

Origin of flèche¹

1700–10; < French: literally, arrow, probably < Germanic. fly ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of flèche¹

C18: from French: spire (literally: arrow), probably of Germanic origin; related to Middle Low German flieke long arrow

Example Sentences

Welshman Steve Williams pulled off the biggest victory of his career by winning La Fleche Wallonne in Belgium.

From BBC

Chief Executive Officer Eric La Fleche, said the chains were keen to do all they could but dismissed the idea that they alone were to blame.

From Reuters

Following his wins at the Amstel Gold Race and Fleche Wallonne, he aimed for a hat trick of the Ardennes one-day classics when he suddenly found himself down on the ground, forced to abandon Liege–Bastogne–Liege because of a crash that left him with a broken wrist requiring surgery.

From Washington Times

Following his wins at the Amstel Gold Race and Fleche Wallonne, he aimed for a hat trick of the Ardennes one-day classics when he suddenly found himself down on the ground, forced to abandon Liege–Bastogne–Liege because of a crash that left him with a broken wrist requiring surgery.

From Washington Times

Deignan will contest Wednesday's La Fleche Wallonne race in Belgium after a year out of the Women's World Tour.

From BBC