Obs. Also 6 flashe. [? ad. OF. flac, flache (mod.F. with unexplained alteration flasque) flabby, weak, insipid:—L. flaccus: see FLACCID. Cf. FLASHY.]

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  1.  Weak, wanting in tone.

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1562.  Turner, Herbal, II. 30 a. If the stomack be so flashe and louse that it can hold no meat. Ibid., II. 74 a. Oxys is geuen vnto a flashe, louse or weike stomacke.

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  2.  a. Of food: Insipid. b. fig. Of speech, reasonings, etc.: Trashy, void of meaning.

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1601.  Bp. Barlow, Defence, 89. The white of an egge, without salt, is flash and unsavery.

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1642.  J. Eaton, Honeycombe Free Justif., 84. The mingling and mixing together of wine and water … maketh flash matter of both.

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  b.  1612.  Brinsley, Lud. Lit., 166. Matters vnfit for an Epistle, flash and to little purpose; but very childish, and more like vnto a Theame or an Oration, then to an Epistle.

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1622.  S. Ward, Life of Faith in Death, 101. Loath I am to mingle Philosophicall Cordialls with Diuine, as water with wine, least my Consolations should bee flash and dilute.

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1640.  Fuller, Joseph’s Party-coloured Coat, viii. (1867), 189. Flash in his matter, confused in his method, dreaming in his utterance.

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