flesh (flĕsh)
n.

1. 1. The soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate, covering the bones and consisting mainly of skeletal muscle and fat.
   2. The surface or skin of the human body.
2. The meat of animals as distinguished from the edible tissue of fish or fowl.
3. Botany. The pulpy, usually edible part of a fruit or vegetable.
4. Excess fatty tissue; plumpness.
5. 1. The body as opposed to the mind or soul.
   2. The physical or carnal nature of humankind.
   3. Sensual appetites.
6. Humankind in general; humanity.
7. One's family; kin.
8. Substance; reality: "The maritime strategy has an all but unstoppable institutional momentum behind it . . . that has given force and flesh to the theory" (Jack Beatty).

v., fleshed, flesh·ing, flesh·es.

v.tr.

1. To give substance or detail to; fill out: fleshed out the novel with a subplot.
2. To clean (a hide) of adhering flesh.
3. To encourage (a falcon, for example) to participate in the chase by feeding it flesh from a kill.
4. To inure to battle or bloodshed.
5. To plunge or thrust (a weapon) into flesh.

v.intr.
To become plump or fleshy; gain weight.

idiom:

in the flesh

1. Alive.
2. In person; present.

[Middle English, from Old English flǣsc.]

fleshless flesh'less adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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