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Webster 1913 Edition


Floss

Floss

(?; 195)
,
Noun.
[It.
floscio
flabby, soft, fr. L.
fluxus
flowing, loose, slack. See
Flux
,
Noun.
]
1.
(Bot.)
The slender styles of the pistillate flowers of maize; also called
silk
.
2.
Untwisted filaments of silk, used in embroidering.
Floss silk
,
silk that has been twisted, and which retains its loose and downy character. It is much used in embroidery. Called also
floxed silk
.
–
Floss thread
,
a kind of soft flaxen yarn or thread, used for embroidery; – called also
linen floss
, and
floss yarn
.
McElrath.

Floss

,
Noun.
[Cf. G.
floss
a float.]
1.
A small stream of water.
[Eng.]
2.
Fluid glass floating on iron in the puddling furnace, produced by the vitrification of oxides and earths which are present.
Floss hole
.
(a)
A hole at the back of a puddling furnace, at which the slags pass out.
(b)
The tap hole of a melting furnace.
Knight.

Webster 1828 Edition


Floss

FLOSS

,
Noun.
[L. flos.] A downy or silky substance in the husks of certain plants.