flag in English
- flag⇄adj. flagless.
- flag⇄expr. break the flag, to unfurl the flag at the top of the staff.
Ex. After ceremonies commissioning the ship her new captain broke the flag. - flag⇄expr. flag down, to signal to stop.
Ex. A policeman flagged down a motorist ... for making an illegal left turn (Maclean's). - flag⇄expr. flags,
a. the long feathers on the lower parts of certain birds' legs.
b. the feathers on the second joint of a bird's wing.
Ex. Like ... the haggard, cloistered in her mew ... to renew her broken flags (Francis Quarles). - flag⇄expr. keep the flag flying, to keep up an endeavor; carry on despite difficulties.
Ex. Yet Freud, after valiant efforts to keep the flag flying, had to admit before 1900, that neither he nor anybody else could yet correlate all mental disturbances - flag⇄expr. wave the flag, to stir up patriotic or similar sentiments.
Ex. The industry gets together annually to wave the flag in a pocket-sized exhibition (London Times). - flag⇄flag (1), noun, verb, flagged,flagging.
- flag⇄flag (2), noun.
1. an iris with blue, purple, yellow, or white flowers and sword-shaped leaves.
2. sweet flag.
3. cattail.
4. the flower of any one of these plants.
5. the leaf of any one of these plants. - flag⇄flag (3), intransitive verb, flagged,flagging.
1. to get tired; grow weak; droop.
Ex. My horse was flagging, but I urged him on. After you do the same thing for a long time, your interest flags.
(SYN) decline, languish, fail, slacken. - flag⇄flag (4), noun, verb, flagged,flagging.
- flag⇄noun flagger.
- flag⇄noun flagstone.
- flag⇄noun 1. a piece of cloth with a pattern or picture on it that stands for some country, city, party, club, or other group, or that gives some information or signal. Flags are hung on poles over buildings, ships, army camps, etc. They vary in design but ar
- flag⇄v.t. to pave with flagstones.
- flag⇄v.t. 1. to put a flag or flags over or on; decorate with flags.
2. to stop or signal (a person, train, bus, ship, airplane, etc.) by a flag.
Ex. to flag down a cab. The train was flagged at the bridge.
3. to call attention to.
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flag in Kashmiri कॉशुर
flag in Sindhi سنڌي
flag in Tamil தமிழ்
flag Deals on Amazon
Flag
Part of Speech
noun, verb
Pronunciation
/flæɡ/
Definitions
- noun: A piece of cloth, often rectangular, with distinctive colors and patterns, typically used as a symbol of a country, organization, or group.
- verb: To signal or indicate, typically by waving or displaying a flag.
- verb (figurative): To become tired or weak, to show signs of fading or decreasing in intensity.
Usage Examples
- "The national flag flew proudly in the breeze."
- "He flagged down a passing car for help."
- "Her enthusiasm began to flag after a few hours of work."
Etymology
The word "flag" comes from the Old Norse word "flog," meaning a piece of cloth used to signal or identify. The term evolved over time to describe banners or flags representing countries, armies, or organizations. The figurative verb form, meaning to weaken or decline, derives from the visual metaphor of a flag drooping or losing its vigor in the wind.
Synonyms
- Bannner
- Standard
- Pennant
- Emblem
- Signal
Antonyms
- Hide
- Conceal
- Obscure
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Flag | /flæɡ/ |
| Spanish | Bandera | /banˈdeɾa/ |
| French | Drapeau | /dʁa.po/ |
| German | Flagge | /ˈflakə/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 旗帜 | /qízhì/ |
| Russian | Флаг | /flak/ |
| Arabic | علم | /ʕalam/ |
| Hindi | ध्वज | /dhwaj/ |
| Bengali | পতাকা | /pôṭaka/ |
| Punjabi | ਝੰਡਾ | /jhaṇḍā/ |
| Telugu | పతాకం | /patākaṁ/ |
| Marathi | ध्वज | /dhwaj/ |
| Tamil | பதாக்கு | /pathākk/ |
| Kannada | ಧ್ವಜ | /dhwaja/ |
| Gujarati | ધ્વજ | /dhwaj/ |
| Malayalam | പതാക | /pathāka/ |
| Oriya | ଧ୍ବଜ | /dhwaja/ |
| Assamese | ধ্বজ | /dhwaja/ |
| Urdu | پرچم | /parcham/ |
| Malay | Bendera | /bɛnˈdɛɾa/ |
| Thai | ธง | /thoŋ/ |
| Japanese | 旗 | /hata/ |
| Korean | 깃발 | /gippal/ |
| Portuguese | Bandeira | /bãˈdejɾɐ/ |
| Italian | Bandiera | /banˈdjɛːra/ |
| Dutch | Vlag | /flɑx/ |
| Greek | Σημαία | /siˈme.a/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In American English, the "flag" is pronounced with a soft "a" sound, /flæɡ/.
- In British English, it is pronounced similarly, with a slightly longer "a" sound: /flɑːɡ/.
Historical Usage
The use of flags as symbols dates back to ancient civilizations, where they were often used in military contexts to signify identity or to mark territory. The first known flags were used by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Romans. In the medieval period, flags were used by kings and nobles to signify their authority. The modern use of flags to represent countries began in the 17th century, with national flags becoming standard by the 19th century as a symbol of sovereignty and national pride.
Cultural Nuances
Flags often carry deep cultural and political significance, symbolizing not only the country or group they represent but also the values, history, and struggles of that group. For example, the American flag represents freedom and democracy, while the flags of various national liberation movements may symbolize resistance and revolution. In some cultures, displaying the flag is a patriotic act, while in others it may be a form of protest or defiance, depending on the political context.
More Information
The flag is an important symbol in both international and local contexts. It plays a key role in ceremonial occasions such as national holidays, political events, and military parades. Flags are often displayed at government buildings, schools, and embassies and are a common sight during major sporting events. In modern times, the design of flags has become an area of study and interest for vexillologists, who analyze the meaning and history behind flag designs, their colors, and their symbols.