flax

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[edit] English

A field of flax (Linum usitatissimum)

[edit] Etymology

West Germanic, representing Proto-Germanic *flahsom, from Proto-Indo-European *plek- (to plait). Cognate with Old Frisian flax, Old Saxon *flahs (Dutch vlas), Old High German flahs (German Flachs); the Northern Germanic (and most likely the Gothic too[1]) stem is different.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
flax

Plural
flaxes

flax (plural flaxes)

  1. A plant of the genus Linum, esp. L. usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. Also known as linseed, especially when referring to the seeds.
  2. The fibers of Linum usitatissimum, grown to make linen and related textiles.

[edit] Usage notes

The plural flaxes is used to indicate multiple species or varieties of flax; otherwise, flax is uncountable.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also


[edit] Swedish

[edit] Noun

flax

Declination for flax Singular Uncountable
Neuter Indefinite Definite
Base form flax flaxet
Possessive form flaxs flaxets
  1. (slang) good luck

[edit] References

  • Notes:
  1. ^ Etymology in the Deutsches Wörterbuch of Jakob und Wilhelm Grimm: "however, Old Norse hör ... The Gothic word has not been transmitted, but one might guess harvs"