flitch noun.
[flɪtʃ] Also (now
dial.) flick
[flɪk].
[Old English flićće, corresp. to Middle Low German vli(c)ke, Old Norse flikki (whence dial. flick) from Germanic, as in Old Norse flík rag.]1. The side of an animal, salted and cured. Now only, a side of bacon.
OE.Dunmow flitch a side of bacon presented periodically at Dunmow in Essex to any couple proving conjugal harmony for a year and a day.
■ B. Chatwin A flitch of bacon was rammed into a rack in the rafters.2. A lengthwise slice of timber from a tree-trunk, esp. an outside slice.
M18.b. Any of several planks fastened together to form a compound beam. Also (in full
flitch-plate), a strengthening plate added to a beam, girder, or any woodwork.
L19.3. a. A square piece of blubber from a whale.
L18.b. A steak cut from a halibut.
L19.
Comb.:
flitch-beam a compound beam, esp. one consisting of a metal plate between two slabs of wood;
flitch-plate: see sense 2b above.
Also
■ flitchen noun (
obsolete exc.
dial.)
LME. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲