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flag

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

flag¹ / flag/ • n. 1. a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities: the American flag. ∎  used in reference to the country to which a person has allegiance: the private’s heroism served as an example for every soldier under the flag. ∎  a ship's country of registry. ∎  a small piece of cloth, typically attached at one edge to a pole, used as a marker or signal in various sports: jumped the starter's flag, did he? ∎  the ensign carried by a flagship as an emblem of an admiral's rank. 2. a device, symbol, or drawing typically resembling a flag, used as a marker: golf courses are indicated by a numbered flag on the map. ∎  Comput. a variable used to indicate a particular property of the data in a record. 3. a hook attached to the stem of a musical note, determining the rhythmic value of the note. • v. (flagged , flag·ging ) [tr.] 1. (often be flagged) mark (an item) for attention or treatment in a specified way: “greatfully” would be flagged as a misspelling of “gratefully.” ∎  Football charge (a player) with a penalty by dropping a penalty flag: a play in which he was flagged for being offside. ∎ fig. draw attention to: problems often flag the need for organizational change. 2. [tr.] direct (someone) to go in the specified direction by waving a flag or using hand signals: have him flagged off the course. ∎  (flag someone/something down) signal to a vehicle or driver to stop, esp. by waving one's arm: she flagged down a patrol car. ∎  [intr.] (of an official in football, soccer, and other sports) raise or throw a flag to indicate a breach of the rules: the rookie cornerback managed to get flagged for three penalties in one game. 3. provide or decorate with a flag or flags. ∎  register (a vessel) in a specific country, under whose flag it then sails: the flagging out of much of the fleet to flags of convenience. PHRASES: fly the flag (of a ship) be registered in a particular country and sail under its flag. ∎  (also show or carry or wave the flag) represent or demonstrate support for one's country, political party, or organization, esp. when one is abroad: he will never consider buying an import, because he likes to fly the flag. show the flag (of a naval vessel) make an official visit to a foreign port, esp. as a show of strength. wrap oneself in the flag make an excessive show of one's patriotism, esp. for political ends.DERIVATIVES: flag·ger n. flag² • n. a flat stone slab, typically rectangular or square, used for paving. DERIVATIVES: flagged adj. [often in comb.] stone-flagged steps. flag³ • n. a plant with sword-shaped leaves that grow from a rhizome, in particular: ∎  a plant of the iris family, esp. blue flag or yellow flag. ∎ sweet flag. flag⁴ • v. (flagged , flag·ging ) [intr.] (of a person) become tired, weaker, or less enthusiastic: if you begin to flag, there is an excellent café to revive you. ∎  [often as adj.] (flagging) (esp. of an activity or quality) become weaker or less dynamic: she should make another similar film to revive her flagging career.

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© The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008.