# flaw

Pronunciation: say "FLAW" US /flɔ/, UK /flɔː/

## Noun

1. A defect, fault, or imperfection, especially a hidden one.
   - Simple: A small fault or weak spot, often one you cannot easily see.
   - _A hidden flaw in the casting caused the part to fail under pressure._
   - _Critics pointed to a fundamental flaw in the argument's logic._
2. A crack, gap, or split in something, where it is broken or does not hold together.
   - Simple: A crack, gap, or break in something solid.
   - _Geologists found a flaw running deep through the granite face._
   - _The weld contained a hairline flaw that widened under stress._
3. A defect in a diamond or other gem, such as a stain or an inclusion of foreign material.
   - Simple: A mark or fault inside a diamond or other gem.
   - _A single flaw near the table of the diamond lowered its price considerably._
   - _Under the loupe, the gem revealed flaws invisible to the unaided eye._
4. A defect or error in a contract or other document that may render it invalid or ineffective.
   - Simple: A mistake in a contract or document that can make it invalid.
   - _A drafting flaw in the lease allowed the tenant to walk away._
   - _The court set aside the will because of a flaw in how it was witnessed._
7. A sudden burst or gust of wind lasting only a short time.
   - Simple: A sudden, short gust of wind.
   - _A sharp flaw caught the sails and heeled the yacht hard over._
   - _The sailors braced as flaws swept across the harbor._
8. A storm lasting only a short while before it passes.
   - Simple: A storm that lasts only a short time.
   - _A brief flaw drenched the harbor and passed before noon._
   - _The fishermen waited out the flaws before heading out._
9. A sudden outbreak of noise and disorder.
   - Simple: A sudden burst of loud noise and confusion.
   - _A flaw of jeering rose from the back of the hall._
   - _The verdict triggered a flaw of uproar in the gallery._

## Verb

5. To make something imperfect or defective by introducing a fault.
   - Simple: To make something imperfect by adding a fault.
   - _A single bad brushstroke can flaw an otherwise perfect painting._
   - _The intense heat flawed the glass as it cooled._
6. To develop a crack or break, or otherwise become defective or imperfect.
   - Simple: To crack, break, or become imperfect.
   - _Cheap blades flaw under heavy use._
   - _The casting flawed as it cooled too quickly._

## Noun

10. A flake, fragment, or thin splinter. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A small flake, piece, or splinter broken off something.
   - _He brushed a flaw of slate from his sleeve._
   - _Flaws of dried clay crumbled from the old wall._
11. A thin cake or sheet, such as of ice. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A thin, flat sheet, such as one of ice.
   - _A thin flaw of ice had formed over the water trough overnight._
   - _Flaws of ice drifted along the slow river in early spring._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–6, 10–11** — From Middle English flawe or flay ("a flake of fire or snow, spark, splinter"), probably from Old Norse flaga ("a slab of stone, flake"), from Proto-Germanic *flagō and ultimately Proto-Indo-European *plok- ("broad, flat"). It is cognate with Icelandic and Swedish flaga ("flake") and Old English flōh ("a fragment").
**Meanings 7–9** — From Middle English *flaugh, from Middle Dutch vlāghe or Middle Low German vlāge, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *flagā. Alternatively it may be of North Germanic origin, from Swedish flaga ("gust of wind") and Old Norse flaga, all from Proto-Germanic *flagǭ ("blow, strike"); compare modern Dutch vlaag ("gust of wind").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/flaw (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).