English

Alternative forms

• phleam (archaic)

Noun

fleam ‎(plural fleams)

1. A sharp instrument used to open a vein, to lance gums, or the like.

Hypernyms

• (sharp instrument): lancet

Derived terms

• fleam saw
• fleam tooth

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English fleem, flem ‎(“the rushing of water; current”), probably from Old English flēam ‎(“fleeing; flight; rush”), from Proto-Germanic *flaumaz ‎(“stream; current; flood”), from Proto-Indo-European *plew- ‎(“to fly; flow; run”). Cognate with dialectal Norwegian flaum ‎(“flood”).

Alternative forms

• fleem

Noun

fleam ‎(plural fleams)

1. (Britain, dialectal, Northern England) The watercourse or runoff from a mill; millstream
2. (Britain, dialectal, Northern England) A large trench or gully cut into a meadow in order to drain it

Related terms

• fleme ‎(verb)

Anagrams

• flame

Latin

Verb

fleam

1. first-person singular present active subjunctive of fleō