The Collaborative International Dictionary
Flesh \Flesh\ (fl[e^]sh), n. [OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl[=ae]sc; akin to OFries. fl[=a]sk, D. vleesch, OS. fl[=e]sk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fl["a]sk.]
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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.
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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.
--Chaucer. -
The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person.
As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were brass impregnable.
--Shak. -
The human eace; mankind; humanity.
All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
--Gen. vi. 12. -
Human nature:
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In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
--Cowper. In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.
(Theol.) The character under the influence of animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by spiritual influences.
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Kindred; stock; race.
He is our brother and our flesh.
--Gen. xxxvii. 2 -
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.''
--John viii. 15.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 (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of flies whose larv[ae] or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle fly; -- called also meat fly, carrion fly, and blowfly. See Blowly.
Flesh meat, animal food.
--Swift.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 (Zo["o]l.), 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.
--Gen. ii. 24.
Usage examples of "after the flesh".
Families removed the bones to these individual ossuaries after the flesh had decayed during a year in the huge common sepulchre in the center of the grounds.
We crawl away to lick our wounds, delivered us by the Fates, but the mental wound remains open and bleeding after the flesh has healed, only to be soothed by revenge.
Like musical ghosts, the behir bones sang at the doors and windows of Halruaan homes long after the flesh that had clothed them was distant memory.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not men mighty, not many noble are called: But God hat chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
The bridgework was placed over the metal anchors after the flesh around them had healed.
It seems that he is already weary of his retirement and hankers after the flesh-pots of Europe.