[f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To wrap in fine linen. rare–1.
1860. Reade, Cloister & H., IV. 368. ‘And O, the sheets I lie in here!’ said he, ‘often my conscience pricketh me and saith, “Who art thou to lie in lint like web of snow?” Dives was ne’er so flaxed as I.’
2. U.S. a. trans. To beat; app. in allusion to the beating of flax. Cf. FLAXEN v. b. intr. To flax round: to ‘knock about’ bestir oneself.
1866. Lowell, Biglow P., Introd. To spit cotton is, I think, American, and also to flax for to beat.
1884. Miss L. W. Baldwin, Yank. Sch. Teacher in Virginia, iv. 29. I’m goin’ t’ make some dried-apple fritters f’r dinner, an’ you must flax roun’ an’ give me a lift.
