flag

I. noun Etymology: Middle English flagge reed, rush Date: 14th century any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: as a. iris; especially a wild iris b. sweet flag II. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: probably akin to fag end of cloth — more at fag end Date: 1530 1. a usually rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device, or as a decoration 2. a. the tail of some dogs (as a setter or hound); also the long hair fringing a dog's tail b. the tail of a deer 3. a. something used like a flag to signal or attract attention b. one of the cross strokes of a musical note less than a quarter note in value 4. something represented by a flag: as a. flagship b. an admiral functioning in his office of command c. nationality; especially the nationality of registration of a ship or aircraft III. transitive verb (flagged; flagging) Date: 1856 1. to signal with or as if with a flag; especially to signal to stop <

flagged the train

> — often used with down 2. to mark or identify with or as if with a flag <

flagged potential problems in the proposal

> 3. to call a penalty on ; penalize <

a lineman flagged for being offside

> IV. intransitive verb (flagged; flagging) Etymology: probably from 2flag Date: 1545 1. to hang loose without stiffness 2. a. to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless b. to decline in interest, attraction, or value <

flagging stock prices

> V. noun Etymology: Middle English flagge turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga slab; akin to Old English flōh chip Date: 1604 a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving; also a piece of such stone VI. transitive verb (flagged; flagging) Date: 1615 to lay (as a pavement) with flags