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Entry 11 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Flesh

/(flĕsh)/ · IPA /flɛʃ/
01 n. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles.
  1. 1.
    The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles.
  2. 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.” — Chaucer.
  3. 3.
    The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person.
    “As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were brass impregnable.” — Shak.
  4. 4.
    The human eace; mankind; humanity.
    “All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” — Gen. vi. 12.
  5. 5.
    Human nature
    “There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.” — Cowper.
  6. 6.
    In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.(Theol.)
  7. 7.
    Kindred; stock; race.
    “He is our brother and our flesh.” — Gen. xxxvii. 27.
  8. 8.
    The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.
Phrases & compounds
After the flesh — after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner.
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 — one of several species of flies whose larvæ 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 — a color used in painting to imitate the hue of the living body.
Flesh worm — 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.
02 v. t. To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; -- from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with…
imp. & p. p. Fleshed; p. pr. & vb. n. Fleshing
  1. 1.
    To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; -- from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first time.
    “Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.” — Shak.
    “The wild dog Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom.
    “Old soldiers Fleshed in the spoils of Germany and France.” — Beau. & Fl.
  3. 3.
    To remove flesh, membrance, etc., from, as from hides.(Leather Manufacture)