flail

• Nom désignant un outil de battage du grain, composé d'un long manche relié à un bâton plus court et libre de pivoter à son extrémité ; il s'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour toute chose qui frappe ou bat violemment.

A noun referring to a tool used for threshing grain, consisting of a long handle with a shorter, free-swinging stick attached to its end; also used metaphorically for something that strikes or beats.

1. Agricultural toolC1formal

   A handheld tool consisting of a long handle with a shorter, free-swinging stick attached to it, used for threshing grain.

   fléau (agriculture)

   • The farmer used a flail to separate the wheat from the chaff.
   • In medieval times, the flail was a common farming implement.
   • He swung the flail rhythmically over the harvested grain.

• Verbe décrivant l'action de battre ou d'agiter violemment et de manière désordonnée, souvent sans contrôle, ou de se débattre.

A verb used to describe the act of waving or swinging wildly, often in an uncontrolled manner, or to thrash about.

1. Wave or swing wildlyB2formal

   To wave or swing the arms or legs about wildly, often without control.

   agiter frénétiquement

   • The drowning man flailed his arms in the water.
   • She flailed her legs while trying to keep her balance.
   • He flailed wildly as he fell off the horse.

   Synonymesbatflounderswingthrashwavewindmillwrithe

2. Thrash or beatC1formal

   To beat or strike something, often with a stick or whip.

   fouetter violemment

   • The farmer flailed the wheat to separate the grain.
   • He flailed the rug to remove the dust.
   • The guard flailed the prisoner with a whip.

   Synonymesbatterbeatcudgellashpoundthrashwhip

3. Struggle or move clumsilyB2informal

   To move in a clumsy, uncontrolled way, often due to panic or lack of coordination.

   Se débattre ou bouger maladroitement

   • The child flailed about in the deep snow.
   • He flailed his arms trying to catch the ball.
   • She flailed around in the dark, searching for the light switch.

   Synonymesblunderflounderlurchstaggerstumblethrash

   Antonymescomposecontrol