flag

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
flag1

▶noun

• 1 an oblong piece of cloth that is raised on a pole and used as an emblem, especially of nationality.

  ■ a ship's ensign.

• 2 a device or symbol resembling a flag, used as a marker.

• 3 a small paper badge given to people who donate to a charity appeal.

▶verb (flags, flagging, flagged)

• 1 mark for attention; draw attention to.

• 2 direct or alert by waving a flag or using hand signals.

  ■ (flag someone down) signal to a driver to stop.

• 3 decorate with a flag or flags.

– phrases
fly the flag (of a ship) be registered in a particular country and sail under its flag.

■ (also show or carry or wave the flag) represent one's country or demonstrate one's affiliation with an organization.

put the flags (or flag) out celebrate.
wrap oneself in the flag chiefly N. Amer. make an excessive show of one's patriotism.

– derivatives
flagger noun.

– origin C16: perh. from obs. flag ‘drooping’, of unknown ultimate origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
flag2

▶noun a flat rectangular or square stone slab, used for paving.

– derivatives
flagged adjective.

– origin ME: prob. of Scand. origin and rel. to Icelandic flag ‘spot from which a sod has been cut’ and ON flaga ‘slab of stone’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
flag3

▶noun a waterside plant with long sword-shaped leaves. [Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag) and other species.]

– origin ME: of unknown ultimate origin.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
flag4

▶verb (flags, flagging, flagged) become tired or less enthusiastic.

– origin C16: rel. to obs. flag ‘hanging down’.