n. | 1. | An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a swipe, is so hung as to swing freely. |
2. | An ancient military weapon, like the common flail, often having the striking part armed with rows of spikes, or loaded. |
Noun | 1. | flail - an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing |
Verb | 1. | flail - give a thrashing to; beat hard |
2. | flail - move like a flail; thresh about; "Her arms were flailing" Synonyms: thresh |