| flesh | 1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles. In composition it is mainly albuminous, but contains in adition a large number of crystalline bodies, such as creatine, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also rich in phosphate of potash. 2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish. "With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread." (Chaucer) 3. The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person. "As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were brass impregnable." (Shak) 4. The human eace; mankind; humanity. "All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." (Gen. Vi. 12) 5. Human nature: In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness. "There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart." (Cowper) In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality. The character under the influence of animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by spiritual influences. 6. Kindred; stock; race. "He is our brother and our flesh." (Gen. Xxxvii. 27) 7. The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten. Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound. After the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner. "Ye judge after the flesh." An arm of flesh, human strength or aid. Flesh and blood. See Blood. Flesh broth, broth made by boiling flesh in water. Flesh fly, any insect larva of a flesh fly. See Flesh fly (above). Proud flesh. See Proud. To be one flesh, to be closely united as in marriage; to become as one person. Origin: OE. Flesch, flesc, AS. Flsc; akin to OFries. Flask, D. Vleesch, OS. Flsk, OHG. Fleisc, G. Fleisch, Icel. & Dan. Flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. Flask. 1. To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first time. "Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword." (Shak) "The wild dog Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent." (Shak) 2. To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom. "Fleshed in triumphs." "Old soldiers Fleshed in the spoils of Germany and France." (Beau. & Fl) 3. To remove flesh, membrance, etc, from, as from hides. Origin: Fleshed; Fleshing. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| flesh-eating bacteria | A strain of Group A streptococcus which, in severe cases, can destroy tissue as fast as surgeons can cut it out. The rapid destruction of tissue caused by these bacteria is localised, so it is unlikely to be caused by a general overstimulation of the immune system by, for example: superantigen exotoxin A. Instead, the invasive strains of strep A probably have other toxin such as exotoxin B, an enzyme (i.e. A cysteine protease) that destroys tissue by breaking down protein. (09 Oct 1997) |
| flesher | 1. A butcher. "A flesher on a block had laid his whittle down." (Macaulay) 2. A two-handled, convex, blunt-edged knife, for scraping hides; a fleshing knife. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fleshflies | Members of the order Diptera, whose larvae (maggots) develop in putrefying or living tissues. Maggots of the latter group produce myiasis; these include screw-worms (both primary and secondary invaders); wool maggots of sheep; botflies or skin maggots of man and domestic animals (including warble or heel flies); head or nasal botflies of sheep and goats, horses, camels, and deer; and horse botflies (or gadflies) whose larvae develop in the stomach, duodenum, or rectum of horses. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fleshly | 1. Of or pertaining to the flesh; corporeal. "Fleshly bondage." 2. Animal; notvegetable. 3. Human; not celestial; not spiritual or divine. "Fleshly wisdom." "Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm And fragile arms." (Milton) 4. Carnal; wordly; lascivious. "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." (1 Pet. Ii. 11) Origin: AS. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fleshy | 1. Full of, or composed of, flesh; plump; corpulent; fat; gross. "The sole of his foot is fleshy." (Ray) 2. Human. "Fleshy tabernacle." 3. <botany> Composed of firm pulp; succulent; as, the houseleek, cactus, and agave are fleshy plants. Origin: Fleshier; Fleshiest. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fleshy mole | A uterine mass occurring after foetal death and consisting of blood clots, foetal membranes, and placenta. Synonym: blood mole, carneous mole. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fleshy polyp | A polyp that consists of benign neoplastic tissue derived from nonstriated (smooth) muscle. Synonym: fleshy polyp. (05 Mar 2000) |
| goose flesh | Contraction of the arrectores pilorum produced by cold, fear, or other stimulus, causing the follicular orifices to become prominent. Synonym: goose flesh, gooseflesh. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| proud flesh | Exuberant granulations in the granulation tissue on the surface of a wound. (05 Mar 2000) |