flay etymology

Etymology

The word "flay" comes from the Old Norse word "flá," meaning "to peel" or "to skin." It is related to the Old English word "flea," meaning "to skin" or "to peel," and the German word "fliehen," meaning "to flee" or "to run away."

Meaning

"Flay" means:

• To remove the skin from something, especially an animal or a person.
• To cause severe pain or distress to someone.

Origin

The word "flay" first appeared in English in the late 13th century. It may have been brought to England by Vikings, who used the word "flá" to describe the skinning of animals.

Usage

The word "flay" is often used in a figurative sense to describe the emotional pain or distress that someone is experiencing. For example, a person who has been betrayed or humiliated may be said to have been "flayed alive."

flay relate terms

• flax

  Etymology The word flax has its origin in the following languages Proto Indo Europe

• flay

  Etymology The word flay comes from the Old Norse word flá meaning to peel or to

• fleck

  Etymology and Origin of Fleck The word fleck has several possible etymological origin

• flay

  Etymology The word flay comes from the Old Norse word flá meaning to peel or to

• flitch

  Etymology Origin Middle English Meaning A side of pork or bacon weighing between 60

• flesh

  Etymology of Flesh The word flesh comes from the Old English word flǣsc which is

• flay

  Etymology The word flay comes from the Old Norse word flá meaning to peel or to

• tart

  Etymology The word tart has multiple etymologies depending on its meaning As a baked

• pachyderm

  Etymology The word pachyderm is derived from the Greek words pakhus thick and derm

• tear

  Etymology The word tear has multiple etymological origins Indo European From the P

• skin

  Etymology Proto Indo European sḱi meaning to cut to peel Meaning Skin refers

• scorch

  Etymology Middle English scorchen from Old English sċeorċan Proto Germanic skurkj

• Hobbit

  Etymology The word hobbit is derived from two Old English words hol hollow bytl

• pare

  Etymology Latin parere to give birth to produce Meaning To bring into being

• reap

  Etymology Middle English repen Old English rīpan Proto Germanic ripaną Proto Indo

• pear

  Etymology Middle English pere pere from Anglo French pere from Old French peire po

• peel

  Etymology Middle English pelen pelen from Anglo Norman French peler peler from Late