flails

Noun

flail (plural flails)

1. A tool used for threshing, consisting of a long handle (handstock) with a shorter stick (swipple or swingle) attached with a short piece of chain, thong or similar material.
   • When in one night, ere glimpse of morn,
     His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn
     That ten day-labourers could not end;1631, John Milton, L'Allegro

   Synonyms:

   frail, thrashel, threshel

2. A weapon which has the (usually spherical) striking part attached to the handle with a flexible joint such as a chain.
3. (often, plural) Part of a rotating device, often used for cutting vegetation.
   • The carriage washing plant uses four pairs of rotating rag flails and will be capable of dealing with the whole of the diesel units as well as steam stock used for main-line trains.1957 December, “Diesel Depot for Darlington”, in Railway Magazine, page 876

See all 7 meanings of flail