flaw Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an imperfection in an object or machine
fault; defect.
- a flaw caused the crystal to shatter
- if there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer
noun defect or weakness in a person's character
- he had his flaws, but he was great nonetheless
noun an imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness
verb add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective
blemish.

OE. flai, flaw flake; cf. Sw. flaga flaw, crack, breach, flake, D. vlaag gust of wind, Norw. flage, flaag, and E. flag a flat stone.

A crack or breach; a gap or fissure; a defect of continuity or cohesion; as, a flaw in a knife or a vase.
This heart Shall break into a hundered thousand flaws. Shak.
A defect; a fault; as, a flaw in reputation; a flaw in a will, in a deed, or in a statute.
Has not this also its flaws and its dark side? South.
A sudden burst of noise and disorder; a tumult; uproar; a quarrel. Obs.
And deluges of armies from the town Came pouring in; I heard the mighty flaw. Dryden.
A sudden burst or gust of wind of short duration.
Snow, and hail, and stormy gust and flaw. Milton.

Like flaws in summer laying lusty corn. Tennyson.
Syn. -- Blemish; fault; imoerfection; spot; speck.

imperfect & past participle Flawed ; present participle & verbal noun Flawing

To crack; to make flaws in.
The brazen caldrons with the frosts are flawed. Dryden.
To break; to violate; to make of no effect. Obs.
France hath flawed the league. Shak.