Flay (flā), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flayed (flād); p. pr. & vb. n. Flaying.] [OE. flean, flan, AS. fleán; akin to D. vlaen, Icel. flā, Sw. flå, Dan. flaae, cf. Lith. pleszti to tear, plyszti, v.i., to burst, tear; perh. akin to E. flag a flat stone, flaw.] To skin; to strip off the skin or surface of; as, to flay an ox; to flay the green earth.
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With her nails
She 'll flay thy wolfish visage. Shak.
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