flaw

1
[ flaw ]
/ flɔ /

noun

a feature that mars the perfection of something; defect; fault: beauty without flaw; the flaws in our plan.
a defect impairing legal soundness or validity.
a crack, break, breach, or rent.

verb (used with object)

to produce a flaw in.

verb (used without object)

to contract a flaw; become cracked or defective.

Origin of flaw

1
1275–1325; Middle English flaw(e), flage, perhaps < Old Norse flaga sliver, flake

synonym study for flaw

1. See defect.

OTHER WORDS FROM flaw

flaw·less, adjective

Definition for flaw (2 of 2)

flaw 2
[ flaw ]
/ flɔ /

noun

Also called windflaw. a sudden, usually brief windstorm or gust of wind.
a short spell of rough weather.
Obsolete. a burst of feeling, fury, etc.

Origin of flaw

2
First recorded in 1475–85, flaw is from the Old Norse word flaga attack, squall

OTHER WORDS FROM flaw

flaw·y, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for flaw

British Dictionary definitions for flaw (1 of 2)

flaw 1
/ (flɔː) /

noun

an imperfection, defect, or blemish
a crack, breach, or rift
law an invalidating fault or defect in a document or proceeding

verb

to make or become blemished, defective, or imperfect

Derived forms of flaw

flawless, adjective flawlessly, adverb flawlessness, noun

Word Origin for flaw

C14: probably from Old Norse flaga stone slab; related to Swedish flaga chip, flake, flaw

British Dictionary definitions for flaw (2 of 2)

flaw 2
/ (flɔː) /

noun

  1. a sudden short gust of wind; squall
  2. a spell of bad, esp windy, weather
obsolete an outburst of strong feeling

Derived forms of flaw

flawy, adjective

Word Origin for flaw

C16: of Scandinavian origin; related to Norwegian flaga squall, gust, Middle Dutch vlāghe