flatlong
English
Alternative forms
- flat-long
Etymology
From alternation of the original flatling, by assimilating to long. More at flatling.
Adverb
flatlong (not comparable)
- (obsolete) With the flat side downward; not edgewise.
- 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
- Antonio: What a blow was there given!
Sebastian: An it had not fall'n flat-long.
- a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
- Yet the pittiless sword had such pity of so precious an object, that at first it did but hit flatlong
Translations
References
- “flatlong”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.