flake

FLAKE, noun [Latin floccus; Gr. flake and flock are doubtless the same word, varied in orthography, and connected perhaps with Latin plico, Gr. The sense is a complication, a crowd, or a lay.] 1. A small collection of snow, as it falls from the clouds or from the air; a little bunch or cluster of snowy crystals, such as fall in still moderate weather. This is a flake lock or flock of snow. 2. A platform of hurdles, or small sticks made fast or interwoven, supported by stanchions, on which cod-fish is dried. 3. A layer or stratum; as a flake of flesh or tallow. Job 41:23. 4. A collection or little particle of fire, or of combustible matter on fire, separated and flying off. 5. Any scaly matter in layers; any mass cleaving off in scales. Little flakes of scurf. 6. A sort of carnations of two colors only, having large stripes going through the leaves. White-flake, in painting, is lead corroded by means of the pressing of grapes, or a ceruse prepared by the acid of grapes. It is brought from Italy, and of a quality superior to common white lead. It is used in oil and varnished painting, when a clean white is required. FLAKE, verb transitive To form into flakes. FLAKE, verb intransitive To break or separate in layers; to peel or scale off. We more usually say, to flake off.