flew

English

A bloodhound, a breed of dog known for having pronounced flews.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /fluː/
• Rhymes: -uː
• Homophones: flu, flue

Etymology 1

Unknown.

Noun

flew (plural flews)

1. (chiefly plural) The thick, dangling upper lip of certain breeds of dog, or the canine equivalent of the upper lip.

   The raging hound's flews were twisted upwards in an angry snarl.

   • 1994, Jonathan Kellerman, Bad Love (Alex Delaware; 8):

     He petted the dog. 'These little guys are pretty expensive and this one looks like a good specimen.' He lifted a flew. 'Well cared for, too - these teeth have been scaled pretty recently and his ears are clean - these upright ears can be receptacles for all kinds of stuff […] .' anyway, what seems to be your problem with him?'

   • 2014, Melanie Forde, “SIX — Goblins”, in Hillwilla: A Novel, Mountain Lake Press:

     During the recitation, Eltie remained on her haunches, as she looked into Ralph's eyes, pulled down an eyelid, flipped up a flew, felt around his ribcage.

   • 2010, Dogs All-in-One For Dummies, →ISBN, page 347:

     Gently go over your dog's face with the washcloth until it's clean. Be sure to wash the flews, or the hanging skin around the mouth.

   • 2013, Edward M. Gilbert, Jr, Patricia H. Gilbert, “Flews”, in Encyclopedia of K9 Terminology, →ISBN:

     In the case of the Gordon Sette, the flews are not pendulous. The lip line from the nose to the flews shows a sharp, well-defined, square contour.

Related terms

• flewed

Etymology 2

From Middle English flew, flow, from Old English flēag, flug-, from Proto-Germanic *flaug, *flug-, past tense forms of Proto-Germanic *fleuganą (“to fly”). Compare Saterland Frisian flooch (“flew”), West Frisian fleach (“flew”), Dutch vloog (“flew”), German flog (“flew”), Danish fløj (“flew”), Swedish flög (“flew”), Icelandic flaug (“flew”).

Verb

flew

1. simple past of fly

Etymology 3

Alternative forms

• flue

Adjective

flew (comparative more flew, superlative most flew)

1. (UK, dialect) shallow; flat

Anagrams

• fewl

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Welsh

Noun

flew

1. Soft mutation of blew.