flaw

FLAW, noun [Gr. seems to be contracted . 1. A breach; a crack; a defect made by breaking or splitting; a gap or fissure; as a flaw in a scythe, knife or razor; a flaw in a china dish, or in a glass; a flaw in a wall. 2. A defect; a fault; any defect made by violence, or occasioned by neglect; as a flaw in reputation; a flaw in a will, or in a deed, or in a statute. 3. A sudden burst of wind; a sudden gust or blast of short duration; a word of common use among seamen. [This proves the primary sense to be, to burst or rush.] 4. A sudden burst of noise and disorder; a tumult; uproar. And deluges of armies from the town Came pouring in; I heard the mighty flaw [In this sense, the word is not used in the United States.] 5. A sudden commotion of mind. [Not used.] FLAW, verb transitive 1. To break; to crack. The brazen cauldrons with the frosts are flawed. 2. To break; to violate; as, to flaw a league. [Little used.]