see|Floss|FLOSS
English
Etymology
wikipedia|Dental floss
Image:Spinning candy floss.jpg|thumb|right|A woman spinning candy floss.Compare to modern German Fluss, "a winding section/ a flowing river."
Also related to fleece and flow.
"floss" < French floche "tuft of wool," from floc, from Latin floccus "tuft of wool" < an unrecorded O.E. or O.N. word from the root of Dutch flos "plush" (17c.).
Pronunciation
audio|en-us-floss.ogg|Audio (US)
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-�s|-�s
Noun
en-noun|es
- a thread, used to clean the area between the teeth
- (raw) silk fibres
- the fibres covering a corn cob
- Any thread-like material having parallel strands that are not spun or wound around each other.
#:embroidery floss
- UK Spun sugar or cotton candy, especially in the phrase "candy floss".
Translations
French: fil dentaire
German: Zahnseide
Spanish: Hilo dental (1)
mid
Verb
en-verb|floss|es
- To clean the area between the teeth using floss.
- AAVE To show off, especially by exhibiting one�s wealth or talent.
#* 2003, Vladimir Bogdanov, All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap and Hip-Hop, Backbeat Books, page 554:
#*: As the label's name no doubt implies, these rappers aren't your typical crew, even if they still like to floss and represent their city.
#* 2003, Wang, Oliver, Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide, ECW Press, page 134:
#*: �Ms. Jackson� is probably the most sensitive�and realistic�take on relationships to come out of hip-hop, while �Red Velvet� cautions would-be playas against pushing the floss envelope around �dirty boys� just waiting for a chance to add some gray flecks to that fur.
#* 2007, Azie Faison, Agyei Tyehimba, Game Over: The Rise and Transformation of a Harlem Hustler, Simon and Schuster, page 69:
#*: It's impossible to floss wealth without attracting envy.
Related terms
dental floss
io:floss
fi:floss
vi:floss
zh:floss
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