Collins English-English Dictionary

flap [flæp]

1. 1. vb to move (wings or arms) up and down, esp in or as if in flying, or (of wings or arms) to move in this way

2. 2. vb to move or cause to move noisily back and forth or up and down

   the curtains flapped in the breeze

3. 3. vi. [intr] [informal] to become agitated or flustered; panic

4. 4. vi. to deal (a person or thing) a blow with a broad flexible object

5. 5. vt. [tr; sometimes foll by down] to toss, fling, slam, etc, abruptly or noisily

6. 6. vt. [tr] [phonetics] to pronounce (an (r) sound) by allowing the tongue to give a single light tap against the alveolar ridge or uvula

7. 7. n the action, motion, or noise made by flapping

   with one flap of its wings the bird was off

8. 8. n a piece of material, etc, attached at one edge and usually used to cover an opening, as on a tent, envelope, or pocket

9. 9. n a blow dealt with a flat object; slap

10. 10. n a movable surface fixed to the trailing edge of an aircraft wing that increases lift during takeoff and drag during landing

11. 11. n [surgery] a piece of tissue partially connected to the body, either following an amputation or to be used as a graft

12. 12. n [informal] a state of panic, distress, or agitation

13. 13. n [phonetics] an (r) produced by allowing the tongue to give a single light tap against the alveolar ridge or uvula

14. 14. n [Etymology] C14: probably of imitative origin