adam's flannel

2 definitions found

adam's flannel - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Flannel \Flan"nel\ (fl[a^]n"n[e^]l), n. [F. flanelle, cf. OF.
     flaine a pillowcase, a mattress (?); fr. W. gwlanen flannel,
     fr. gwlan wool; prob. akin to E. wool. Cf. Wool.]
     1. A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. a cotton fabric with a thick nap on one side, resembling
        flannel[1]; it is used, e. g. for underwear or sheets;
        also called flanellette.
        [PJC]
  
     3. pl. garments made of flannel, especially underwear.
        [PJC]
  
     4. a washcloth. [Brit.]
        [PJC]
  
     5. humbug; nonsensical or evasive talk. [Brit. informal]
        [PJC]
  
     6. insincere flattery or praise. [Brit. informal]
        [PJC]
  
     Adam's flannel. (Bot.) See under Adam.
  
     Canton flannel, Cotton flannel. See Cotton flannel,
        under Cotton.
        [1913 Webster] flannelbush

  Adam \Ad"am\, n.
     1. The name given in the Bible to the first man, the
        progenitor of the human race.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (As a symbol) "Original sin;" human frailty.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              And whipped the offending Adam out of him. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Adam's ale, water. [Coll.]
  
     Adam's apple.
  
     1. (Bot.)
        (a) A species of banana (Musa paradisiaca). It attains a
            height of twenty feet or more. --Paxton.
        (b) A species of lime (Citris limetta).
  
     2. The projection formed by the thyroid cartilage in the
        neck. It is particularly prominent in males, and is so
        called from a notion that it was caused by the forbidden
        fruit (an apple) sticking in the throat of our first
        parent.
  
     Adam's flannel (Bot.), the mullein (Verbascum thapsus).
        
  
     Adam's needle (Bot.), the popular name of a genus (Yucca)
        of liliaceous plants.
        [1913 Webster]