noun Uncommon

flaps

Flaps (noun) means an old veterinary name for a condition causing inflammation and swelling in a horse's mouth, especially the cheeks and lips. Example: “The stable hand noticed the horse had flaps and called the vet to check its gums.”

noun

An old veterinary name for a condition causing inflammation and swelling in a horse's mouth, especially the cheeks and lips.

"The stable hand noticed the horse had flaps and called the vet to check its gums."

How to use flaps

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn archaic term for mouth inflammation in horses.

Common mistake

This veterinary sense is obscure and rarely used today — almost every modern use of "flaps" is simply the plural of "flap" (loose hanging pieces, like on an aircraft wing or an envelope).

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The stable hand noticed the horse had _____ and called the vet to check its gums.

Rhymes for flaps

taps naps caps craps chaps slaps wraps

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Frequently asked questions

What does “flaps” mean?

The word “flaps” means an old veterinary name for a condition causing inflammation and swelling in a horse's mouth, especially the cheeks and lips. In plain terms, an archaic term for mouth inflammation in horses.

How do you pronounce “flaps”?

“Flaps” is pronounced flaps (/flæps/ in IPA).

How do you use “flaps” in a sentence?

Here is “flaps” used in a sentence: “The stable hand noticed the horse had flaps and called the vet to check its gums.”

What part of speech is “flaps”?

“Flaps” is a noun.

Is “flaps” a common word?

“Flaps” is an uncommon word in modern English.