Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

flak

 - 2 dictionary results

flak

  [flak]
Use flak in a Sentence
–noun
1. antiaircraft fire, esp. as experienced by the crews of combat airplanes at which the fire is directed.
2. criticism; hostile reaction; abuse: Such an unpopular decision is bound to draw a lot of flak from the press.
Also, flack.

Origin:
1935–40; < G Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone) antiaircraft gun, equiv. to Flieger aircraft (lit., flyer) + Abwehr defense + Kanone gun, cannon
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To flak
flak also flack   (flāk)   
n.  

    1. Antiaircraft artillery.

    2. The bursting shells fired from such artillery.

    3. Excessive or abusive criticism.

    4. Dissension; opposition.

  2. Informal

    1. Excessive or abusive criticism.

    2. Dissension; opposition.


[German, from Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone), aircraft-defense gun.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see flak on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way