flax
.
Searchable Lemmata: fleax (OE), flex (ME), flex (AF), flax (MdE).
Alternate Forms: ulexe, flexsse.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
NOTE(n.)
Raw Material;
Flax usually refers to a bast fibre obtained from the stem of a plant of the family Linaceae, genus Linum, particularly Linum usitatissimum, from which linen is made. In medieval texts it could represent the flax plant or a part thereof (such as linseed) or a product of the flax plant, such as linen or a product made from linen. Variants appear in most medieval British languages, although not always with contexts regarding cloth and clothing (cf. AF flex = flax fibre or cord).
Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
1(n.)
Textile;
in contexts with cloth and clothing, linen cloth or a specific garment made from linen. For a specific use, cf. white flax.(ante 1000 still in current use)
2. [1.353] ... [The Irish] haueþ ... blak faldynges [L phalangis] instede of mantels and of clokes. ... Þey beeþ vnsemeliche of maneres and of cloþyng, and haueþ breche and hosen al oon of wolle, and strai3t hodes þat streccheþ a cubite ouer þe schuldres by hynde ... [1.355] ... Þey vse no craft of flex and wolle
Heroic, Historic, Romance.
[MED Trev.Higd. ((StJ-C H.1) 1.353-355) ante 1387]
3. It is ordeyned ... that non of the same toun take in kepyng of poore webberes, ne off spynneres, ne of threed makeres, ne of poure tailours ... of tayleresses, ne off poure lavenderes ... clothes maade ... Ne flax, ne hemp, ne wollen threed, ne lynen threed, ne non other maner of thyng suspesious
Legal.
[MED Ipswich Domesday(2) ((Add 25011) 133) circa 1436]
Sex: N/A Use: n/a Status: n/a Rank: n/a Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
2(n.) ;
whiteness of the clean body; metaphorical use based on biblical texts.(ante 1100)
1. Hwæt mæg ðonne elles beon getacnod ðurh ðæt fleax butan lichoman clænnes, sio sceal scinan of clænre heortan?
[DOE CP (0361 (14.87.20))]
Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, Old English < proto-Germanic *flahs-, with cognates in several West Germanic languages); the root is related to Latin plectere, Greek πλέκ-ειν, etc.
WF:
Etym Cog:
References:
