Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/flɛʃ/

Definitions

• Flesh (noun): The soft substance of the body of a human or animal, consisting of muscle and fat.
• Flesh (noun): The edible part of an animal, such as meat, especially when referring to it as food.
• Flesh (verb): To remove the skin or outer covering from (an animal or piece of meat), typically for preparation or processing.
• Flesh (noun): A term used to describe the soft tissue of plants or fruits, such as the flesh of an apple or peach.

Usage Examples

• "The butcher carefully cut the flesh from the bones."
• "The apple's flesh was sweet and juicy."
• "He flensed the fish and then used the flesh for the stew."
• "The scientist examined the flesh of the specimen under the microscope."

Etymology

The word "flesh" comes from the Old English word "flesc," which means "meat" or "body," and is related to the Proto-Germanic word "*flašks," which also means "flesh." It is thought to have Indo-European roots related to the concept of muscle or soft tissue.

Synonyms

• Meat
• Muscle
• Carcass
• Body
• Pulp

Antonyms

• Bone
• Skin
• Shell
• Exoskeleton

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In some English dialects, "flesh" is pronounced with a longer "e" sound, making it sound more like "flaish" or "flesch." The regional variation can be heard in parts of the UK and Australia, where the word may have a softer or harder 'sh' sound depending on the accent.

Historical Usage

Historically, the term "flesh" has been closely linked with the consumption of meat and the human body in religious or cultural contexts. In Christian theology, for instance, the "flesh" is often contrasted with the "spirit," with the flesh representing earthly desires and the spirit symbolizing the divine or spiritual nature. In early societies, the flesh of animals was an essential source of nutrition and an important part of survival in hunter-gatherer cultures.

Cultural Nuances

The word "flesh" has cultural significance in many societies. In some cultures, the consumption of flesh (especially animal flesh) is tied to specific rituals, festivals, and traditions. In contrast, vegetarian and vegan cultures emphasize the avoidance of animal flesh for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. The term is also used metaphorically in literature and philosophy to represent the human body, desires, and material existence.

More Information

The word "flesh" encompasses a wide range of meanings, from its most basic definition as the soft tissue of animals to its more metaphorical and symbolic uses. In culinary contexts, it refers to the edible portion of meat, while in medical or anatomical terms, it refers to the soft body tissues. The term is also used extensively in literature, theology, and philosophy to discuss human nature, the body, and spiritual concepts. Over time, the word has retained its significance, particularly in discussing the material aspects of life versus spiritual or intellectual pursuits.