flaw
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flaw 1
(flô)n.
1. An imperfection, often concealed, that impairs soundness: a flaw in the crystal that caused it to shatter. See Synonyms at blemish.
2. A defect or shortcoming in something intangible: The two leaders share the flaw of arrogance.
tr.v. flawed, flaw·ing, flaws
To cause a flaw in; make defective: an argument that was flawed by specious reasoning.
[Middle English flaue, splinter, perhaps from Old Norse flaga, slab of stone; see plāk- in Indo-European roots.]
flaw 2
(flô)n.
A quick, intense burst, especially of wind, rain, or snow.
[Probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish flaga, gust of wind.]
flaw′y adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
flaw
(flɔː)n
1. an imperfection, defect, or blemish
2. a crack, breach, or rift
3. (Law) law an invalidating fault or defect in a document or proceeding
vb
to make or become blemished, defective, or imperfect
[C14: probably from Old Norse flaga stone slab; related to Swedish flaga chip, flake, flaw]
ˈflawless adj
ˈflawlessly adv
ˈflawlessness n
flaw
(flɔː)n
1. (Physical Geography)
a. a sudden short gust of wind; squall
b. a spell of bad, esp windy, weather
2. obsolete an outburst of strong feeling
[C16: of Scandinavian origin; related to Norwegian flaga squall, gust, Middle Dutch vlāghe]
ˈflawy adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
flaw1
(flɔ)n.
1. a feature that mars the perfection of something; defect.
2. a defect impairing legal soundness or validity.
3. a crack or breach.
v.t. 4. to produce a flaw in.
v.i. 5. to become defective.
[1275–1325; Middle English flaw(e), flage]
flaw′less, adj.
flaw′less•ly, adv.
flaw′less•ness, n.
syn: See defect.
flaw2
(flɔ)n.
1. a brief windstorm or gust of wind.
2. Obs. a burst of feeling.
[1475–85; < Old Norse flaga attack, squall]
flaw′y, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Flaw
turfs collectively, 1811.Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
flaw
Past participle: flawed
Gerund: flawing
Imperative |
---|
flaw |
flaw |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | ![]() imperfection, imperfectness - the state or an instance of being imperfect blister - a flaw on a surface resulting when an applied substance does not adhere (as an air bubble in a coat of paint) hole - a fault; "he shot holes in my argument" |
2. | flaw - defect or weakness in a person's character; "he had his flaws, but he was great nonetheless" hamartia, tragic flaw - the character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall | |
3. | flaw - an imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness imperfection, imperfectness - the state or an instance of being imperfect | |
Verb | 1. | ![]() damage - inflict damage upon; "The snow damaged the roof"; "She damaged the car when she hit the tree" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
flaw
noun
1. error, mistake, fault, blunder, inaccuracy, howler (informal), solecism Almost all these studies have serious flaws.
2. weakness, failing, defect, weak spot, spot, fault, scar, blemish, imperfection, speck, disfigurement, chink in your armour The only flaw in his character is a short temper.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
flaw
nounSomething that mars the appearance or causes inadequacy or failure:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Spanish / Español
flaw
[flɔː] N (= defect) (in character, system) → defecto m, fallo m; (in material, beauty, diamond) → desperfecto m, tara f; (in reasoning) → error m, fallo m; (= crack) → grieta fCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
flaw
(floː) noun a fault; something which makes something not perfect. a flaw in the material.defecto
flawed adjective having a flaw. This china is flawed.defectuoso
ˈflawless adjective perfect. her flawless beauty.impecable
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
flaw
→ defecto , errorMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
flaw
n. falta, defecto, falla.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012