flag - What does it mean?
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Definition of 'flag'Etymology 1
From (etyl) flag, . More at (l), (l).
Noun
( en-noun)
A piece of cloth, often decorated with an emblem, used as a visual signal or symbol.
An exact representation of a flag (for example: a digital one used in websites).
(nautical) A flag flown by a ship to show the presence on board of the admiral; the admiral himself, or his flagship.
(nautical|often used attributively) A signal flag.
The use of a flag, especially to indicate the start of a race or other event.
(computer science) A variable or memory location that stores a true-or-false, yes-or-no value, typically either recording the fact that a certain event has occurred or requesting that a certain optional action take place.
(computer science) In a command line interface, a command parameter requesting optional behavior or otherwise modifying the action of the command being invoked.
(British) An abbreviation for capture the flag.
Synonyms
* Boolean
* switch
Derived terms
* antiflag
* false flag
* flagkini
( rel-mid3)
* freak flag
* raise a flag
( rel-mid3)
* show the flag
* white flag
( rel-bottom)
Verb
( flagg)
To furnish or deck out with flags.
To mark with a flag, especially to indicate the importance of something.
* {{quote-news
|year=2011
|date=January 8
|author=Chris Bevan
|title=Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds
|work=BBC
citation
|page=
|passage=Walcott was, briefly, awarded a penalty when he was upended in the box but referee Phil Dowd reversed his decision because Bendtner had been flagged offside. }}
To signal to, especially to stop a passing vehicle etc.
- Please flag down a taxi for me.
To convey (a message) by means of flag signals.
- to flag an order to troops or vessels at a distance
To note, mark or point out for attention.
- I've flagged up the need for further investigation into this.
- Users of the Internet forum can flag others' posts as inappropriate.
(computing) To signal (an event).
- The compiler flagged three errors.
(computing) To set a program variable to true .
- Flag the debug option before running the program.
See also
( top3)
* banner
* colour
* ensign
( mid3)
* jack
* pennant
( mid3)
* standard
* vexillology
( bottom)
Etymology 2
Probably from (etyl).
Verb
( flagg)
To weaken, become feeble.
- His strength flagged toward the end of the race.
* Jonathan Swift
- The pleasures of the town begin to flag .
* {{quote-news
|year=2012
|date=December 29
|author=Paul Doyle
|title=Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle
|work=The Guardian
citation
|page=
|passage=The sides took it in turns to err and excite before Newcastle flagged and Arsenal signalled their top-four credentials by blowing the visitors away. }}
To hang loose without stiffness; to bend down, as flexible bodies; to be loose, yielding, limp.
* T. Moore
- as loose it [the sail] flagged around the mast
To let droop; to suffer to fall, or let fall, into feebleness.
- to flag the wings
- (Prior)
To enervate; to exhaust the vigour or elasticity of.
* Echard
- Nothing so flags the spirits.
Etymology 3
Of uncertain origin; compare Danish .
Noun
( en-noun)
Any of various plants with sword-shaped leaves, especially irises; specifically, Iris pseudacorus .
* before 1899 , Robert Seymour Bridges, There is a Hill :
- And laden barges float
- By banks of myosote;
- And scented flag and golden flower-de-lys
- Delay the loitering boat.
Derived terms
* sweet flag
Etymology 4
Probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic flag
Noun
( en-noun)
A slice of turf; a sod.
A slab of stone; a flagstone, a flat piece of stone used for paving.
(geology) Any hard, evenly stratified sandstone, which splits into layers suitable for flagstones.
Verb
(flagg)
To lay down flagstones.
* Fred is planning to flag his patio this weekend.
Etymology 5
Noun
( en-noun)
A group of feathers on the lower part of the legs of certain hawks, owls, etc.
A group of elongated wing feathers in certain hawks.
The bushy tail of a dog such as a setter.
(music) A hook attached to the stem of a written note that assigns its rhythmic value
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