'Earth flax' definitions:
Definition of 'Earth flax'
From: GCIDE
- Earth flax \Earth" flax`\ (Min.) A variety of asbestus. See Amianthus. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Earth flax'
From: GCIDE
- Flax \Flax\ (fl[a^]ks), n. [AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. ? to weave, plait. See Ply.]
- 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the {L. usitatissimum}, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing. [1913 Webster]
- Earth flax (Min.), amianthus.
- Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of flax from the fibrous.
- Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle.
- Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in bicarbonate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared for bleaching and spinning like cotton. --Knight.
- Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares it for the spinner.
- Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen manufactured.
- Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the field.
- Flax wench. (a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.] (b) A prostitute. [Obs.] --Shak.
- Mountain flax (Min.), amianthus.
- New Zealand flax (Bot.) See Flax-plant. [1913 Webster]