flag [
1]
n
1 a piece of cloth, esp. bunting, often attached to a pole or staff, decorated with a design and used as an emblem, symbol, or standard or as a means of signalling
2 a small paper flag, emblem, or sticker sold on flag days
3 an indicator, that may be set or unset, used to indicate a condition or to stimulate a particular reaction in the execution of a computer program
4 Informal short for flag officer and flagship
5 (Journalism) another name for →
masthead →
2
6 the fringe of long hair, tapering towards the tip, on the underside of the tail of certain breeds of dog, such as setters
7 the conspicuously marked tail of a deer
8 a less common name for →
bookmark
9 (Austral. and N.Z.) the part of a taximeter that is raised when a taxi is for hire
10 the. (in Victoria, Australia) the Australian Rules premiership
11 ♦
fly the flag to represent or show support for one's country, an organization, etc.
a to assert a claim, as to a territory or stretch of water, by military presence
b Informal to be present; make an appearance
13 ♦
strike (or lower) the flag
a to relinquish command, esp. of a ship
b to submit or surrender
vb , flags, flagging, flagged tr
14 to decorate or mark with a flag or flags
15 often foll by: down to warn or signal (a vehicle) to stop
16 to send or communicate (messages, information, etc.) by flag
17 to decoy (game or wild animals) by waving a flag or similar object so as to attract their attention
18 to mark (a page in a book, card, etc.) for attention by attaching a small tab or flag
19 foll by: away or by (N.Z.) to consider unimportant; brush aside, (See also)
→
flags
(C16: of uncertain origin)
♦
flagger n
♦
flagless adj
