flounce
pronunciation
How to pronounce flounce in British English:
UK [flaʊns]
How to pronounce flounce in American English:
US [flaʊns]
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- Noun:
- a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
- the act of walking with exaggerated jerky motions
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- Verb:
- walk emphatically
Word Origin
- flounce (v.)
- 1540s, "to dash, plunge, flop," perhaps from Scandinavian (compare dialectal Swedish flunsa "to plunge," Norwegian flunsa "to hurry, work hurriedly," but first record of these is 200 years later than the English word), said to be of imitative origin. Spelling likely influenced by bounce. Notions of "anger, impatience" began to adhere to the word 18c. Related: Flounced; flouncing. As a noun from 1580s in reference to a sudden fling or turn of the body; by mid-18c. especially as expressing impatience or disdain.
- flounce (n.)
- "deep ruffle on the skirt of a dress," 1713, from Middle English frounce "pleat, wrinkle, fold" (late 14c.), from Old French fronce "line, wrinkle; pucker, crease, fold," from Frankish *hrunkjan "to wrinkle," perhaps ultimately from the same Germanic source as shrink (v.). Influenced in form by flounce (v.). The verb meaning "arrange in flounces" is from 1711.
Example
- 1. Draped flounce at center front .
- 2. Silky organza flounce detail cocktail dress .
- 3. Keep counting : mourinho would flounce first .
- 4. Another deal was struck with george bush 's government , only for north korea to flounce out and , eventually , test short - and long-range rockets and at least one nuclear device .