n. [ OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl&aemacr_;sc; akin to OFries. flāsk, D. vleesch, OS. flēsk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fläsk. ] 1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In composition it is mainly proteinaceous, but contains in adition a large number of low-molecular-weight subtances, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also rich in potassium phosphate. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish. [ 1913 Webster ]

With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person. [ 1913 Webster ]

As if this flesh, which walls about our life,
Were brass impregnable. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The human eace; mankind; humanity. [ 1913 Webster ]

All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Gen. vi. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Human nature: (a) In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. Cowper.

(b) In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality. (c) (Theol.) The character under the influence of animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by spiritual influences. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Kindred; stock; race. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is our brother and our flesh. Gen. xxxvii. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound. [ 1913 Webster ]

After the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner. “Ye judge after the flesh.” John viii. 15. --
An arm of flesh, human strength or aid. --
Flesh and blood. See under Blood. --
Flesh broth, broth made by boiling flesh in water. --
Flesh fly (Zool.), one of several species of flies whose larvæ or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle fly; -- called also meat fly, carrion fly, and blowfly. See Blowly. --
Flesh meat, animal food. Swift. --
Flesh side, the side of a skin or hide which was next to the flesh; -- opposed to grain side. --
Flesh tint (Painting), a color used in painting to imitate the hue of the living body. --
Flesh worm (Zool.), any insect larva of a flesh fly. See Flesh fly (above). --
Proud flesh. See under Proud. --
To be one flesh, to be closely united as in marriage; to become as one person. Gen. ii. 24. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fleshed p. pr. & vb. n. Fleshing. ] 1. To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; -- from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first time. [ 1913 Webster ]

Full bravely hast thou fleshed
Thy maiden sword. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom. “Fleshed in triumphs.” Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Old soldiers
Fleshed in the spoils of Germany and France. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Leather Manufacture) To remove flesh, membrance, etc., from, as from hides. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Corpulent; fat; having flesh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Glutted; satiated; initiated. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fleshed with slaughter. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A butcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

A flesher on a block had laid his whittle down. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A two-handled, convex, blunt-edged knife, for scraping hides; a fleshing knife. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or condition of having a form of flesh; incarnation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou, who hast thyself
Endured this fleshhood. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being fleshy; plumpness; corpulence; grossness. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. Flesh-colored tights, worn by actors and dancers. D. Jerrold. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of flesh; lean. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being fleshly; carnal passions and appetites. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A person devoted to fleshly things. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]