flirtn.
/fləːt/, U.S. /flərt/ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > [noun] > a sharp or smart blow
dab1300
rapc1330
thresta1400
bruntc1400
knap14..
yedderc1440
gird1487
yert1509
fillip1543
yark1555
flewet1570
stingera1577
flirt1577
wherret1577
riprapc1580
spang1595
nick1651
lick1680
flip1692
yowf1711
clink1722
wherrya1726
click1773
whither1791
swata1800
yank1818
snock1825
clip1830
snop1849
clinkera1863
siserary1893
blip1894
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. Diijv Thus euerie one woulde haue a flyrt, ere I coulde get out free.
a1625 J. Fletcher Pilgrim iii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ggggg4v/2 One flurt at him, and then I am for the voyage.
c1691 Bagford Ball. (1878) App. I'll give you a good flurt on the Ear.
1855 E. Waugh Sketches Lancs. Life (1857) 29 Aw caren't a flirt abeawt it.
1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield Flirt, a slight blow or fillip with the thumb and finger.
2. A sudden jerk or movement, a quick throw or cast, a darting motion. Of wind: A gust.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [noun] > blast or gust of
ghosteOE
blasta1000
blas?c1225
ragec1405
blorec1440
flaw1513
thud1513
flaga1522
fuddera1522
flake1555
flan1572
whid?1590
flirta1592
gust1594
berry1598
wind-catch1610
snuff1613
stress1625
flash1653
blow1655
fresh1662
scud1694
flurry1698
gush1704
flam1711
waff1727
flawer1737
Roger's Blasta1825
flaff1827
slat1840
scart1861
rodges-blast1879
huffle1889
slap1890
slammer1891
Sir Roger1893
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > [noun] > jerking > a jerk
spang1513
lipe1545
job1560
jert1568
abraid1570
jerk1575
flirta1592
yark1610
slip1615
flerka1653
hitch1674
toss1676
hotch1721
saccade1728
surge1748
flip1821
snatch1822
fling1826
kick1835
chuckc1843
jolt1849
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [noun] > sudden > a sudden dart
startc1330
gird1545
whip1550
shoota1596
whippeta1603
snap1631
jet1647
flirt1666
whid1719
dart1721
spout1787
with a thrash1870
sprit1880
divea1897
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > [noun] > jerking or darting throw
flirting1593
flirt1861
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. D4 Out with your blades..Haue a flurt and a crash.
1666 W. Spurstowe Spiritual Chymist (1668) 116 As weak as the Grashoppers who give only a small flirt upwards, and then fall down to the Earth again.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. ii. 15 There may be sometimes some small flurts of a Westerly Wind on these Coasts.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 102. ¶5 The next Motion is that of unfurling the Fan, in which is comprehended several little Flirts and Vibrations.
1774 G. White Let. 2 Sept. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 101 Hedge-sparrows have a remarkable flirt with their wings.
1830 N. S. Wheaton Jrnl. 205 He..tosses out his arm with a flirt and a flourish.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. II. i. 17 With a joyful squeal and flirt of his hind-quarters in the air.
a. A smart stroke of wit, a joke, a jest; a gibe, jeer, scoff. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke
gameOE
jape1377
bourda1387
mirthc1390
mowa1393
chapec1400
skauncec1440
sport?1449
popc1540
flirt1549
jest1551
merriment1576
shifta1577
facetiae1577
gig1590
pleasantry1594
lepidity1647
rallery1653
drollery1654
wit-crack1662
joco1663
pleasance1668
joke1670
jocunditya1734
quizzification1801
funniment1826
side-splitter1834
funniness1838
quizzery1841
jocularity1846
rib-tickler1855
jocosity1859
humorism1860
gag1863
gas1914
nifty1918
mirthquaker1921
rib1929
boffo1934
giggle1936
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [noun] > instance of
hoker-wordOE
gabc1225
scornc1275
jape1377
bourda1387
gaudc1440
knack1513
scoffing1530
gleekc1540
jest1548
to have a fling at?1550
snack?1554
boba1566
taunta1566
gird1566
flim-flam-flirt1573
gibe1573
scoff1573
flouting-stock1593
mycterism1593
flirt1613
fleera1616
scomma1620
jeer1631
snouchc1780
brocard1837
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Ephes. v. f. xv Vayne flirtes and iestes.
1613 E. Hoby Counter-snarle 21 His next flurte is at my witt.
a1655 in Anecd. & Trad. (Camden) 24 She had a flurt at them presently.
a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 101 He would sometimes..cast out a jesting Flurt at me.
1726 J. Swift Let. to Palmerston 31 Jan. in Wks. (1746) VIII. 374 Open Reproaches, jesting Flirts, and contumelious Terms.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > [noun] > one who derides or ridicules
scorner1303
bourder1330
mower1440
mockera1460
subsannator1509
hickscorner?1515
derider1543
illuder?1550
bobber1576
flouter1581
frumper1589
deluder1592
flirt1602
fleerera1627
ridiculer1681
trotter1818
finger pointer1912
snook-cocker1965
1602 W. Basse Sword & Buckler xlv. sig. C3v The prescise flirts of eu'ry trades-mans stall Whose busie tongues..defiles Our honest sort with vomited reuiles.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [noun] > inconstant person or thing > inconstant person
starter1519
changeling1539
flirt1577
Protean1598
weathercock1598
changerc1600
mooncalf1607
minute jacka1616
a nose of wax1821
sugar stick1825
wax-nosea1843
in-and-outer1905
brainstormer1907
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. Biijv Fie on the Fancie, flattering flirt.
1689 T. Plunket Char. Good Commander 2 Nor is he one that's Valiant at a spurt; No, no, he's far from being such a flurt.
a. A woman of a giddy, flighty character; ‘a pert young hussey’ (Johnson).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > light-mindedness > [noun] > person > female
gig?c1225
gigleta1340
halok?1507
fizgiga1529
gilliea1529
flirt1562
peat1566
sluta1592
gillian flirt1593
giggle1611
filly1616
jill-flirt1627
flibbertigibbet1640
flirtigig1683
flip-flap1702
gamine1848
kitten1870
sillypop1894
frippet1908
1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. Cc ij Your study chief is daunse in pampryng feasts with giglet flirts.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iv. i. 191 A peevish drunken flurt, a waspish cholerick slut.
1623 B. Jonson Time Vindicated 91 To salute the skirts Of her, to whom all Ladies else are flirts.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 84. ⁋3 My aunt told me she was a forward flirt.
1774 W. Whitehead Song for Ranelagh in Plays & Poems II. 224 Ye belles, and ye flirts, and ye pert little things, Who trip in this frolicsome round.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > sexual indulgence > unchaste behaviour of woman > unchaste or loose woman
queanOE
whorec1175
malkinc1275
wenchelc1300
ribalda1350
strumpeta1350
wench1362
filtha1375
parnelc1390
sinner14..
callet1415
slut?c1425
tickle-tailc1430
harlot?a1475
mignote1489
kittock?a1500
mulea1513
trulla1516
trully?1515
danta1529
miswoman1528
stewed whore1532
Tib1533
unchaghe1534
flag1535
Katy1535
jillet1541
yaud1545
housewife1546
trinkletc1550
whippet1550
Canace1551
filthy1553
Jezebel1558
kittyc1560
loonc1560
laced mutton1563
nymph1563
limmer1566
tomboy1566
Marian1567
mort1567
cockatrice1568
franion1571
blowze1573
rannell1573
rig1575
Kita1577
poplet1577
light-skirts1578
pucelle1578
harlotry1584
light o' lovea1586
driggle-draggle1588
wagtail1592
tub-tail1595
flirt-gill1597
minx1598
hilding1599
short-heels1599
bona-roba1600
flirt1600
Hiren1600
light-heels1602
roba1602
baggage1603
cousin1604
fricatrice1607
rumbelow1611
amorosa1615
jaya1616
open-taila1618
succubus1622
snaphancea1625
flap1631
buttered bun1638
puffkin1639
vizard1652
fallen woman1659
tomrigg1662
cunt1663
quaedama1670
jilt1672
crack1677
grass-girl1691
sporting girl1694
sportswoman1705
mobbed hood1707
brim1736
trollop1742
trub1746
demi-rep1749
gillyflower1757
lady of easy virtue1766
mot1773
chicken1782
gammerstang1788
buer1807
scarlet woman1816
blowen1819
fie-fie1820
shickster?1834
streel1842
charver1846
trolly1854
bad girl1855
amateur1862
anonyma1862
demi-virgin1864
pickup1871
chippy1885
wish-wife1886
tart1887
tartleta1890
flossy1893
fly girl1893
demi-mondaine1894
floozy1899
slattern1899
scrub1900
demi-vierge1908
cake1909
coozie1912
muff1914
tarty1918
yes-girl1920
radge1923
bike1945
puta1948
messer1951
cooze1955
jamette1965
skeezer1986
slutbag1987
chickenhead1988
ho1988
1600 N. Breton Pasquils Fooles-cap (rev. ed.) sig. C3v Call'd a Foolish flirt..When all the world is witnesse to her shame.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode ii. i. 19 An idle Town Flurt, with a painted Face.
1703 Thoresby in Ray's Lett. (1718) 328 A Flurt, a light House-wife.
6. One who flirts, or plays at courtship.
a. Said of a woman.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > [noun] > flirt > female flirt
simper-de-cocketa1529
minx?1576
Mistress Minx1576
coquette1611
flirt1747
allumeusec1891
vampire1903
vampa1911
kikay1993
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. ii. 8 She was not one of those flirts..who would give pain to a person that deserved to be well-treated.
1787 ‘P. Pindar’ Lyric Odes to Royal Academicians (ed. 5) v. 13 How else could he have caught that handsome flirt?
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice II. xviii. 217 A flirt too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation. View more context for this quotation
1880 T. E. Webb tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust iii. viii To bend the dainty little flirt To be conformable to your commands.
b. Said of a man.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > [noun] > flirt > male flirt
spider-caul1631
rover1638
coquet1691
male coquette1710
flirta1732
a1732 J. Gay Distress'd Wife (1743) ii. viii. 35 A Flirt. One that gives himself all the Airs of making Love in Publick.
1863 ‘Ouida’ Held in Bondage I. xii. 274 Sabretasche had an universal reputation as a most unscrupulous flirt.
c. A person to flirt with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > [noun] > one who is flirted with > person to flirt with
flirt1779
1779 Gentleman's Mag. 49 357 The General [Howe] has found another Desdemona at Philadelphia..who is now his Excellency's flirt.
a1817 J. Austen Lady Susan vii, in Wks. (1954) VI. 254 When I have inspired him with greater respect for me.., he may be an agreable Flirt.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxv. 216 General Tufto is a great flirt of mine.
7. Watchmaking. ‘A lever or other device for causing sudden movement of mechanism’ (Britten).
ΚΠ
1786 Trans. Soc. Arts 4 175 The usual way of discharging the chime is by a flirt.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 124 The independent seconds hand is generally discharged by a flirt taking into a pinion.
Compounds
flirt-wort n. (see quot. 1882).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > feverfew
feverfewOE
adrelwurta1300
featherfew?a1300
whitewort?c1400
matricary1523
St. Peter's wort1526
parthenium1548
matricaria1664
wild wormwood1696
mugworta1726
whitehead1864
golden feather1867
feather-bow1880
flirt-wort1882
1882 H. Friend Gloss. Devon Plant Names Flirtwort, Pyrethrum Parthenium, a name apparently nearly died out, but which was common in South Devon some years ago as the designation of the Feverfew.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
flirtv.
/fləːt/, U.S. /flərt/ 1.
a. transitive. To propel or throw with a jerk or sudden movement; often, to propel by a blow from the finger-nail released from the thumb. Also with away, off, out. Cf. fillip v. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > by impact or force > by a blow of fingernail
flirt1582
shoot1820
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > suddenly
shootc1075
flapc1320
flatc1330
spang1513
yark1568
flirt1582
cant1685
jerk1708
flip1712
shuttle1823
spring1884
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 57 Scylla..lurcketh, Close and slilye spying, too flirt thee nauye to rock bane.
1602 T. Dekker Satiro-mastix sig. H2v Tis thy fashion to flirt Inke in euerie mans face.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion vi. 88 A little wand, That bended end to end, and flerted from the hand, Farre off it selfe doth cast.
1710 J. Swift in J. Swift & R. Steele Tatler No. 238 That Sprinkling which some careless Quean Flirts on you from her Mop.
1735 J. Moore Columbarium 5 To keep 'em from flirting the Grain over on the Floor.
1812 G. Colman Poet. Vagaries 64 Flirting his sweet and tiny shower Upon a milk-white April flower.
1875 C. Darwin Insectivorous Plants xvii. 406 Minute particles of glass..disappeared so suddenly that I thought I had flirted them off.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. ii. xviii. 361 ‘I don't care what you call it’, said Mab, flirting away her thimble.
b. With immaterial object; esp. to blurt out (something spoken).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > without restraint, openly, or recklessly > blurt out
braid1562
blurt1573
bolt1577
plump1579
sot1608
to bounce out (with)c1626
flirt1641
blutter1684
to come right out with1861
to give vent1870
blat1879
whip1889
1641 Vox Borealis Dj Then the Foole, he flirts out his folly.
1652 News from Lowe Countreys 11 If carping Momes shall flurt in Podex's face A Flout, to blur his Matter with Disgrace.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II cccxli, in Poems (1878) III. 222 The Arch-Bishop still Flirting Divinitie against the Throne.
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xxvii. 353 Of course I whet up now and then and flirt out a minor prophecy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > strike in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > sharply or smartly
daba1307
rap1530
flirt1570
knipsea1572
fillip1577
yowf1788
swata1800
snop1849
clip1855
snick1880
blip1924
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 2243/1 Flirting him vnder the chin, and on the eares.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Nasarder, to fillip; to rap, or flirt, on the nose.
1631 F. Quarles Hist. Samson 138 Some gibe and flout him..Whilst others flurt him on the starting lips.
3.
a. To give a brisk, sudden motion to; to flick. Also with out, up. to flirt a fan: to open and close it with a jerk, to wave it smartly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > move in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > move lightly or briskly > make light movement with
frisk1665
flirta1706
flack1751
flicker1843
flick1844
the world > matter > gas > air > fresh air > freshen (air) [verb (transitive)] > supply with fresh air or ventilate > wave (a fan)
flirta1706
a1706 Earl of Dorset in Earl of Rochester et al. Wks. (1718) 63 Whilst you..Perhaps permit some happier Man To kiss your Hand, or flirt your Fan.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. l. 146 She..flirted her fan with such a fury.
1761 F. Sheridan Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph II. 62 One of the windows was already up, and I flurted up the other.
1798 R. Bloomfield Summer in Farmer's Boy 78 The small dust-colour'd beetle..flirts his filmy wings, and looks around.
1834 R. Mudie Feathered Tribes Brit. Islands I. 11 In those birds which have a habit of flirting up the tail.
1855 R. Browning Lovers' Quarrel x Teach me to flirt a fan As the Spanish ladies can.
?1856 F. E. Smedley Harry Coverdale's Courtship iv. 20 Harry again impatiently flirted the whip over the ears of ‘My Old Aunt Sally’.
1893 R. Kipling Many Inventions 229 He flirted the dinghy round the big ship.
b. absol. or intransitive. Of a turkey-cock: To set up its feathers. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > [verb (intransitive)] > other actions (of turkey)
flirt1654
to strike the red1867
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. iii. 186 If you had but rusht and flurted like a Turky cocke.
a. intransitive. To turn up one's nose; hence, to sneer, gibe, scoff at. Also of the nostrils: To be turned up or dilated, as if sneering (the earliest recorded use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > nose > [verb (intransitive)] > nostril
flirt1553
nostril1942
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [verb (intransitive)]
gab?c1225
scoffa1380
mockc1475
to mock and mow1509
jest1526
jeer1553
taunt1560
gibe1567
scripa1572
to come over ——1600
flirt1603
tit1622
to sling off (at)1911
signify1932
barrack-
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Eviij They haue..nosethrilles flyrtting vpwarde and wyde.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. i. l. 165 Diogenes..in..rowling of his tub, and flurting [Fr. hochant du nez] at Alexander.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 27 Derided, and flurted at by diuers of the baser people.
a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) I. 63 Mr. Jones..could not forbear flirting at him, as—‘Come, Mr. Deputy Attorney, what have you to say now’?
b. transitive. To sneer or scoff at, flout (not clearly distinguishable from figurative use of 2). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [verb (transitive)]
heascenc1000
gabc1225
tita1400
knackc1425
scoff1530
flout1551
taunt1560
gird1573
beflout1574
scoff1578
gibe1582
flirt1593
gleek1593
to geck at1603
to gall ata1616
jeera1616
gorea1632
jest1721
fleer1732
chi-hike1874
chip1898
chip1898
to sling off (at)1911
jive1928
sound1958
wolf1966
1593 T. Nashe Strange Newes in Wks. (Grosart) II. 211 Titius shall not vpbraid Caius..nor Zoylus anie more flurt Homer.
a1625 J. Fletcher Pilgrim i. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Fffff4/1 I'le not be foold, nor flurted.
1687 J. Gother Catholic Representer 73 You that fleer, and flurt, and blaspheme Everything you do not understand.
5. intransitive. To move with a jerk or spring; to spring, dart. Of a winged creature: To take short quick flights. Also with about, away, up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > make sudden movement [verb (intransitive)]
abraidOE
braidc1275
startc1275
shunta1400
squitch1570
flirt1582
sprunt1601
ricochet1856
the world > animals > by locomotion > locomotion of animals > [verb (intransitive)] > fly
flusha1300
soarc1384
fly1480
flitter1483
flit1535
fleck1567
flirt1582
wagtail1606
waft1682
to take to wing1693
flaffer17..
to take (its, etc.) wing1807
skirl1859
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and suddenly
windc897
shootc1000
smite?c1225
flatc1300
lash13..
girda1400
shock?a1400
spara1400
spritc1400
whipc1440
skrim1487
glance1489
spang1513
whip1540
squirt1570
flirt1582
fly1590
sprunt1601
flame1633
darta1640
strike1639
jump1720
skite1721
scoot1758
jink1789
arrow1827
twitch1836
skive1854
sprint1899
skyhoot1901
catapult1928
slingshot1969
book1977
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 12 Lyke bees..That flirt in soonbeams.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xx. i. 35 It wil leape & flurt in the handling..against their faces.
1680 Tom & Will 90 in Roxburghe Ballads Three or four..did flirt away.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World vi. 148 In flurting about (as all Fish will when first taken).
a1800 Cowper tr. Milton's Damon 144 The sparrow..Flirts here and there, and late returns to rest.
1822 J. Flint Lett. from Amer. 234 The velocity of every plunge made her long loose hair flirt up as if [etc.].
1841 R. B. Peake Court & City ii. i. (stage direct.) As he approaches nearer, she flirts from him.
1887 R. L. Stevenson Treasure of Franchard vi With the tails of his night-shirt flirting as he turned.
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester (at cited word) ‘The paper must have flirted into the fire.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > move in a certain direction [verb (intransitive)] > move hither and thither or in different directions
roilc1425
flirt1578
vary1667
tig1834
to hither and thither1856
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > be inconstant [verb (intransitive)]
flitc1386
waivec1425
flitter1543
to play fast and loose1557
range1557
vary1557
halve1566
to blow hot and cold1577
flirt1578
laveer1598
to weathercock it1654
1578 T. Proctor Gorgious Gallery (1814) 133 Did love you intrap?.. That now you be flurting, and will not abide.
1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 348 Do not flirt, or fly from one thing to another.
7.
a. To play at courtship; to practise coquetry; to make love without serious intentions. Often, to flirt with (a person); also in indirect passive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > flirtation or coquetry > flirt, philander, or dally [verb (intransitive)]
flicker?c1225
dallyc1440
mird?c1625
pickeer1646
to dally away1685
niggle1696
coquet1700
gallant1744
philander1778
flirt1781
fike1804
gallivant1823
butterfly1893
vamp1904
romance1907
to fool up1933
floss1938
cop1940
horse1953
1781 D. Garrick in R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (new ed.) Prol. If Mrs. B. will still continue flirting.
1793 Earl of Buchan Anon. & Fugit. Ess. (1812) 261 You see them..flirting with the beauties of the day.
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede II. iv. xxvii. 241 Every man likes to flirt with a pretty girl, and every pretty girl likes to be flirted with.
1863 ‘Ouida’ Held in Bondage I. viii. 192 Scores of military men, who flirted more desperately and meant less by it than any fellows in the room.
b. To play, toy, trifle with (something).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > mere amusement > do for mere amusement [verb (transitive)] > toy or trifle with
toddle?a1513
sport?1545
finger1587
quiddlea1652
flirt1859
trick1881
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. v. 57 Occasionally flirting with some lighter document.
1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius ii Claudius was flirting with his fancies, and drawing pretty pictures in the smoke.
c. transitive. = to flirt with at sense 7a. rare.
ΚΠ
1801 T. Moore Poet. Wks. Late Thomas Little 60 Do you thus seek to flirt a number?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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