floss
Use Floss in a sentence
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noun Also called floss silk (for defs 1-3).
1.
the cottony fiber yielded by the silk-cotton tree.
2.
silk filaments with little or no twist, used in weaving as brocade or in embroidery.
3.
any silky, filamentous matter, as the silk of corn.
4.
verb (used without object)
5.
to use dental floss on the teeth.
00:10
Floss
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
| to bark; yelp. |
verb (used with object)
6.
to clean (the teeth) with dental floss.
Origin:
1750–60; probably < French floche, as in soie floche floss silk, Old French flosche down, velvet pile (of uncertain origin)
1750–60; probably < French floche, as in soie floche floss silk, Old French flosche down, velvet pile (of uncertain origin)
Related forms
floss·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To floss
Collins
World English Dictionary
floss (flɒs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the mass of fine silky fibres obtained from cotton and similar plants |
| 2. | any similar fine silky material, such as the hairlike styles and stigmas of maize or the fibres prepared from silkworm cocoons |
| 3. | untwisted silk thread used in embroidery, etc |
| 4. | See dental floss |
| —vb | |
| 5. | (tr) to clean (between one's teeth) with dental floss |
| [C18: perhaps from Old French flosche down] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
floss
"rough silk," 1759, from Fr. floche "tuft of wool," from floc, from L. floccus "tuft of wool." Or from an unrecorded O.E. or O.N. word from the root of Du. flos "plush" (17c.). In "The Mill on the Floss" the word Floss is the proper name of a fictitious river in the Eng. Midlands.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Children should never floss without an adult's help.
They can help you learn not to fidget and explain that you need to floss before going on camera.
The dentist or hygienist will show you how to brush and floss.
To stress the importance, floss for them regularly until they're able to do it themselves.
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