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   flirt

   /fləːt/

   verb

   • 1. behave as though sexually attracted to someone, but playfully rather than with serious intentions: "she began to tease him, flirting with other men in front of him" Similar trifle withtoy withteaselead onphilander withdally withmake romantic advances tocourtwooinformal:pullchat upmake eyes atmake sheep's eyes atgive the come-on tocome on tobe all overvampdated:set one's cap at
   • ▪ experiment with or show a superficial interest in (an idea, activity, or movement) without committing oneself to it seriously: "a painter who had flirted briefly with Cubism" Similar dabble intoy withtrifle withamuse oneself withplay withentertain the idea/possibility ofconsidergive thought topotter about/around/round withtinker withdip intoscratch the surface of
   • ▪ deliberately expose oneself to (danger or difficulty): "the need of some individuals to flirt with death" Similar dice withcourtrisknot be afraid oftreat frivolouslymake light of
   • 2. (of a bird) wave or open and shut (its wings or tail) with a quick flicking motion: "a moorhen stepped out of the reeds, flirting its white tail"
   • ▪ move quickly to and fro with a fluttering motion: "the lark was flirting around the site"

   noun

   • 1. a person who habitually flirts: "Jim was an outrageous flirt"

   Word Origin mid 16th century: apparently symbolic, the elements fl- and -irt both suggesting sudden movement; compare with flick and spurt. The original verb senses were ‘give someone a sharp blow’ and ‘sneer at’; the earliest noun senses were ‘joke, jibe’ and ‘flighty girl’ (defined by Dr Johnson as ‘a pert young hussey’), with a notion originally of cheeky behaviour, later of playfully amorous behaviour.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • F

     4

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • R

     1

   • T

     1

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