flamfew
(ˈflæmfjuː)
Also 6 flamefew, 9 Sc. flamfoo.
[Corruption of F. fanfelue:—med.L. famfalūca bubble, lie, app. ad. Gr. ποµϕόλυξ bubble. Cf. mod.F. fanfreluche.]
A gewgaw, trifle, fantastic thing.
Also Sc. ‘Any gaudy trapping in female dress,’ ‘a gaudily dressed female’ (Jam.).
| 1580 Baret Alv. F 614 A Flamefew, or the mooneshine in the water. 1583 Stanyhurst æneis, etc. (Arb.) 138 Voyd ye fro theese flamfews..set a part the begun wurck. 1890 Temple Bar Mag. Nov. 430 Fancy..had bodied forth a curious flamfew. |