flirt English · revision 1229

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /flɜːt/ ''(UK)''; /flɚt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is unknown.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) It is probably an expressive word, like ''flick'', ''flip'' and ''flap'',^(RHWU)^(Etymonline) and East Frisian ''flirt'' “a light blow” and ''flirtje'' “a giddy girl” have been compared.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Etymonline also suggests influence from [[flit]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a verb, to turn up one's nose at, to sneer (1553);^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) as a noun, a joke, jest or gibe (1549).^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 16th century the verb also meant to rap or flick with the fingers, to throw with a jerk, and to dart about.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The noun was used for a flighty or pert young woman from 1562.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The sense of a person who plays at courtship is recorded before 1732,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the verb meaning to play at courtship from 1777;^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) it probably developed from the noun,^(Etymonline) and the 17th-century practice of ''flirting'' a fan, snapping it open or shut, may have contributed.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1549 – noun, a jest or gibe.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1553 – verb, to sneer at.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1562 – noun, a giddy young woman.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1563–87 – verb, to rap or flick.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1583 – verb, to dart; to throw with a jerk.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1732 – noun, one who plays at courtship.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1777 – verb, to play at courtship.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To behave in a playfully [[romantic]] or sexual way without serious intent.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To show a passing, casual interest in something; to [[toy]] with an idea.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To come close to something, as in ''flirting with disaster''.^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To move with jerks; to dart about.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To toss or [[flick]] suddenly, as a fan.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person given to flirting.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An act of flirting.^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A sudden jerk or quick throw.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[flirtation]]

+ * [[flirter]]

+ * [[flirty]]

+ * [[flirtingly]]

+ * [[flirtable]]

+ * [[flirtatious]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[flit]]

+ * [[flip]]

+ * [[flick]]

+ * [[coquette]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary groups ''flirt'' with ''dally'', ''play'', ''toy'' and ''trifle'', all meaning to deal lightly or casually with someone or something.^(AHD) Random House lists ''coquette'' and ''tease'' as synonyms of the noun.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}