flesh \flesh\ fle^sh, n. oe. flesch, flesc, as. fl=aesc;
   akin to ofries. fl=ask, d. vleesch, os. fl=esk, ohg.
   fleisc, g. fleisch, icel.  dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, sw.
   flaumsk.
   1. the aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which
      cover the framework of bones in man and other animals;
      especially, the muscles.
      1913 webster

   note: in composition it is mainly proteinaceous, but contains
         in adition a large number of low-molecular-weight
         subtances, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin,
         carnin, etc. it is also rich in potassium phosphate.
         1913 webster

   2. animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat;
      especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as
      distinguished from fish.
      1913 webster

            with roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread.
                                                  --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   3. the human body, as distinguished from the soul; the
      corporeal person.
      1913 webster

            as if this flesh, which walls about our life,
            were brass impregnable.               --shak.
      1913 webster

   4. the human eace; mankind; humanity.
      1913 webster

            all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
                                                  --gen. vi. 12.
      1913 webster

   5. human nature:
      a in a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.
          1913 webster

                there is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
                                                  --cowper.
      b in a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical
          pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.
      c theol. the character under the influence of animal
          propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by
          spiritual influences.
          1913 webster

   6. kindred; stock; race.
      1913 webster

            he is our brother and our flesh.      --gen. xxxvii.
                                                  27.
      1913 webster

   7. the soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a
      root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.
      1913 webster

   note: flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining
         compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush
         or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound.
         1913 webster

   after the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or
      earthly manner. "ye judge after the flesh." --john viii.
      15.

   an arm of flesh, human strength or aid.

   flesh and blood. see under blood.

   flesh broth, broth made by boiling flesh in water.

   flesh fly zool., one of several species of flies whose
      larvae or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle
      fly; -- called also meat fly, carrion fly, and
      blowfly. see blowly.

   flesh meat, animal food. --swift.

   flesh side, the side of a skin or hide which was next to
      the flesh; -- opposed to grain side.

   flesh tint painting, a color used in painting to imitate
      the hue of the living body.

   flesh worm zool., any insect larva of a flesh fly. see
      flesh fly above.

   proud flesh. see under proud.

   to be one flesh, to be closely united as in marriage; to
      become as one person. --gen. ii. 24.
      1913 webster
see also:
fish after the flesh an arm of flesh flesh and blood blood flesh broth 
flesh fly meat fly carrion fly blowfly blowly 
flesh meat flesh side grain side flesh tint flesh worm 
proud flesh proud to be one flesh