1 flexuous | Definition of flexuous
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flexuous

adjective
flex·​u·​ous | \ ˈflek-sh(ə-)wəs How to pronounce flexuous (audio) \

Definition of flexuous

1 : having curves, turns, or windings
2 : lithe or fluid in action or movement

Did You Know?

English author Thomas Hardy was fond of the word flexuous and described his dark-haired Tess as "the most flexuous and finely-drawn figure." "Flexuous" may be a synonym of "curvy," but it's not the word most likely to be chosen these days to describe a shapely woman. The botanists' use of "flexuous" to describe plant stems that aren't rigid is a more typical use today. But don't let that tendency deflect you from occasionally employing this ultimately quite flexible word. Stemming straight from Latin flectere, meaning "to bend," it can also mean "undulating" or "fluid." It might, for example, be used of writing or music, or of something or someone that moves with a fluid sort of grace.

First Known Use of flexuous

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for flexuous

borrowed from Latin flexuōsus, from flexus "act of bending, bend, curve" (from flectere "to cause to go in a different direction, bend, curve" + -tus, suffix of action nouns) + -ōsus -ose entry 1

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More Definitions for flexuous

flexuous

adjective
flex·​u·​ous | \ ˈfleksh-(ə-)wəs How to pronounce flexuous (audio) \

Medical Definition of flexuous

: lacking rigidity in structure or action flexuous filamentous virus particles— M. Hema et al

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