flex1

 
Pronunciation: /flɛks/

verb

  • 1(with reference to a limb or joint) bend or become bent: [with object]: she saw him flex his ankle and wince [no object]: it’s important to prevent the damaged wrist from flexing
  • [with object] cause (a muscle) to stand out by contracting or tensing it: a group of bodybuilders flexed their muscles
  • [no object] (of a muscle) contract or be tensed: a muscle flexed in his jaw
  • [no object] (of a material) be capable of warping or bending and then reverting to shape: set windows in rubber so they flex during an earthquake
  • 2 (as adjective flexed) Archaeology relating to or denoting a practice of burying a corpse with the legs drawn up under the chin.

Phrases

flex one's muscles

see muscle.

Origin:

early 16th century: from Latin flex- 'bent', from the verb flectere