flue

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun flat bladelike projection on the arm of an anchor
  2. noun organ pipe whose tone is produced by air passing across the sharp edge of a fissure or lip
  3. noun a conduit to carry off smoke

Etymology

From Middle English flue, flewe (“mouthpiece of a hunting horn”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a back-formation from Middle English *flews (mistaken as a plural), from Old English flēwsa (“a flow, flowing, flux”). Alternatively, perhaps an alteration of Middle English floute, fleute, flote (“a pipe”), see English flute. Compare also Middle Dutch vloegh (“groove, channel, flute of a fluted column”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

fluke

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