flake

flake¹ [fleık] n

[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: From a Scandinavian language; related to Norwegian flak 'disk']

1.) a small thin piece that breaks away easily from something else

flake of

▪ flakes of snow

▪ chocolate flakes

→↑snowflake

2.) AmE informal someone who seems strange or who often forgets things

= ↑space cadet

flake ²

flake² v

1.) also flake off

to break off in small thin pieces

▪ The paint is beginning to flake off.

▪ Use a moisturising cream to stop your skin flaking.

2.) [I and T]

to break fish or another food into small thin pieces, or to break in this way

▪ Poach the fish until it flakes easily.

▪ Remove the skin and flake the flesh.

flake out [i]phr v

1.) BrE to fall asleep because you are extremely tired

▪ Phil's flaked out on the sofa.

2.) AmE to do something strange, or to not do what you said you would do

flake out on

▪ Kathy said she'd help but she flaked out on us.