fleer; flense (+flatling)

[packbat]

More fun with the Webster's New World Dictionary, Second College Edition…

fleer (flir) vi., vt. to laugh derisively (at); sneer or jeer (at) —n. a derisive grimace, laugh, etc.; gibe —fleer’ing·ly adv.

I must honestly say that I can't remember an occasion when I observed someone fleer at anything (probably because I hang around nice people), but I suspect it's a good word to know, nevertheless. Also, it makes a nice set with sneer and jeer, and possibly other 'eers that I don't know.

flense (flens) vt. flensed, flens’ing to cut blubber or skin from (a whale, seal, etc.): also flench (flench)

This word made me happy because it reminded me of the name of a character in A Fire Upon the Deep, by Vernor Vinge. I thought that book was terrific, and I didn't realize that character's name was from a real word.

(P.S. I feel almost like a failure because LJ spell-check recognizes "fleer". Ah, well, you can't win them all.)

ETA: Oh, just noticed another:

flat·ling (-ling) adv. [Obs. exc. Brit. Dial.] 1. at full length 2. with the flat side, as of a sword Also flat’lings, flat’long (-lông) —adj. [Obs.] struck with the flat side [a flatling blow]

I so wish I could drop that one into conversation. I suppose one might make a flatling flatlong swing (I like "flatlong" for the adverb better) with one's sword, but I'm not often around swordfighters. Maybe a metaphorical usage? Hmm…