Flesh n. 1.The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles. Note: In composition it is mainly proteinaceous, but contains in adition a large number of low-molecular-weight subtances, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also rich in potassium phosphate.
2.Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish. "With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread."
3.The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person. "As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were brass impregnable."
4.The human eace; mankind; humanity. "All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth."
5.Human nature: (a)In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness. "There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart."
(b)In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.
(c)(Theol.) The character under the influence of animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by spiritual influences.
6.Kindred; stock; race. "He is our brother and our flesh."
7.The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten. Note: Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound.
After the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner. "Ye judge after the flesh."
An arm of flesh, human strength or aid.
Flesh and blood. See under Blood. Flesh broth, broth made by boiling flesh in water.
Flesh fly (Zool.), one of several species of flies whose larvae or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle fly; called also meat fly, carrion fly, and blowfly. See Blowly.
Flesh meat, animal food.
Flesh side, the side of a skin or hide which was next to the flesh; opposed to grain side.
Flesh tint (Painting), a color used in painting to imitate the hue of the living body.
Flesh worm (Zool.), any insect larva of a flesh fly. See Flesh fly (above).
Proud flesh. See under Proud. To be one flesh, to be closely united as in marriage; to become as one person.
Proud adj. (compar. prouder; superl. proudest) 1.Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense; as: (a)Possessing or showing too great self-esteem; overrating one's excellences; hence, arrogant; haughty; lordly; presumptuous. "Nor much expect A foe so proud will first the weaker seek." "O death, made proud with pure and princely beauty!" "And shades impervious to the proud world's glare."
(b)Having a feeling of high self-respect or self-esteem; exulting (in); elated; often with of; as, proud of one's country. "Proud to be checked and soothed." "Are we proud men proud of being proud?"
2.Giving reason or occasion for pride or self-gratulation; worthy of admiration; grand; splendid; magnificent; admirable; ostentatious. "Of shadow proud." "Proud titles." " The proud temple's height." "Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud Are mantled with a golden cloud."
3.Excited by sexual desire; applied particularly to the females of some animals. Note: Proud is often used with participles in the formation of compounds which, for the most part, are self-explaining; as, proud-crested, proud-minded, proud-swelling.
Proud flesh (Med.), a fungous growth or excrescence of granulations resembling flesh, in a wound or ulcer.
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