Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Flaunt

Flaunt

(flänt or fla̤nt; 277)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Flaunted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
.
Flaunting
.]
[Cf. dial. G.
flandern
to flutter, wave; perh. akin to E.
flatter
,
flutter
.]
To throw or spread out; to flutter; to move ostentatiously;
as, a
flaunting
show
.
You
flaunt
about the streets in your new gilt chariot.
Arbuthnot.
One
flaunts
in rags, one flutters in brocade.
Pope.

Flaunt

,
Noun.
Anything displayed for show.
[Obs.]
In these my borrowed
flaunts
.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Flaunt

FL'AUNT

,
Verb.
I.
[I know not whence we have this word. From the root L. bearing the sense of throwing out, or spreading. See Flounce.]
1.
To throw or spread out; to flutter; to display ostentatiously; as a flaunting show.
You flaunt about the streets in your new gilt chariot.
One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade.
[This correctly expresses the author's meaning, which is, that the proud often attempt to make a show and parade of their importance, even in poverty. Johnson's remark on the use of the word seems therefore to be unfounded.]
2.
To carry a pert or saucy appearance.

FL'AUNT

,
Noun.
Any thing displayed for show.

Similar Results