flaily

English

Etymology

flail +‎ -y

Adjective

flaily (comparative more flaily, superlative most flaily)

1. Acting like a flail; flailing.
   • 1632, Virgil, translated by John Vicars, The XII Aeneids of Virgil, Book 5:

     At once all furrows plow, the strugling streams
     O're all the main gape wide, boile foamie streams,
     With flaly-oares and slicing foredecks fierce,
     Which through the bustling billows proudly pierce.

   • 2016, Alice Clayton, The Cocktail Collection: Wallbanger, Rusty Nailed, and Screwdrivered:

     “I hardly think someone as flaily as you can complain about anything.”
     “Flaily? That's not even a word,” I huffed, enjoying his arms around me more than I wanted to admit.
     “Flaily, as in, one who flails. […] ”