flay

Definition

To cause to fly; put to flight; drive off (by frightening).

Etymology

From Middle English flayen, flaien, fleien, from Old English *flīeġan ("to cause to fly, put to flight, frighten"; found only in compounds: āflīeġan), from Proto-Germanic *flaugijaną (“to let fly, cause to fly”), causative of Proto-Germanic *fleuganą (“to fly”).

Example Sentences

• "If they'd let me have my way, I could have flayed him into shape"