Definition of flap

The origin of the word "flap" can be traced back to Middle English, around the 14th century. At that time, the word "flappen" was used to describe the sound made by something being beaten or struck, such as a wet cloth being smacked against a surface. This word eventually evolved into the Middle Dutch word "vlappen," which meant to flap or flutter, often in reference to the wings of a bird. This word was then borrowed by Middle English, where it was used to describe the motion of wings as birds flapped them. Over time, the word "flappen" began to be spelled differently in different dialects of English, resulting in the spellings "flappe," "flapp," and "flap." The spelling "flap" eventually became the most widely used form in modern English. Today, the word "flap" is used to describe the action of bending or folding something, such as a page in a book, as well as the motion of wings as birds take off or land. It can also be used figuratively to describe sudden, often impatient, movements or actions, such as flapping one's arms in frustration.