flèche

\\ˈflāsh, -lesh\ noun (-s)

Etymology: French, literally, arrow, from Old French fleche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch vlieke arrow, Middle Low German flieke long arrow; akin to Old High German fliogan to fly — more at fly

1. : spire; especially : a slender spire above the intersection of the nave and transepts of a church or cathedral and commonly carrying the Sanctus bell

2. : a method of reaching the opponent that is used especially in fencing with saber or épée and that consists of one or more rapid steps forward beginning with the rear foot

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/flaysh/; Fr. /flesh/, n., pl. flèches /flay"shiz/; Fr. /flesh/.

1. Archit. a steeple or spire, esp. one in the Gothic style, emerging from the ridge of a roof.

2. Fort. a fieldwork consisting of two faces forming a salient angle with an open gorge.

3. Fencing. a method of attack with saber or épée in which the attacker leaves from the rear foot and advances rapidly toward the opponent.

[1700-10; < F: lit., arrow, prob. < Gmc. Cf. FLY¹]

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flèche /flesh/

noun

1. A spire

2. A slender spire rising from the intersection of the nave and transepts in some large churches (architecture)

3. A parapet with two faces forming a salient angle at the foot of a glacis or slope (fortification)

4. A point on a backgammon board

ORIGIN: Fr, arrow

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flèche «flaysh; French flehsh», noun.

1. Architecture. a) a spire, especially a slender spire surmounting a roof. b) a slender spire placed over the junction of the nave and transept of a church or cathedral: »

Ideally, the narthex should be surmounted by a flèche (London Times).

2. (in a fortification) an arrow; a defensive work shaped somewhat like an arrowhead.

╂[< French flèche arrow < Old French fleche; origin uncertain]

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[flāsh; flesh]

n. a slender spire, typically over the intersection of the nave and the transept of a Gothic church

Origin:

mid 19th cent.: French, literally ‘arrow’

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flech(e

var. of fleech.