... he reigned without dispute
Thro’ all the realms of nonsense absolute.
Dryden, M’Flecnoe (1682).
(It was not Flecknoe but Shadwell that Dryden wished to castigate in this satire. The offence was that Dryden was removed from the post of laureate, and Shadwell appointed in his place. The angry ex-laureate says, with more point than truth, that, “Shadwell never deviates into sense.”)
Fleda. A winning child who grows into the lovely heroine of Susan Warner’s novel Queechy (1852). Her simple faith and unaffected piety lead Mr. Carleton, a skeptical Englishman, into the right path. After many years and vicissitudes the two meet again in New York and are married in England.
Fledge´by (2 syl.), an over-reaching, cowardly sneak, who conceals his dirty bill-broking under the trade name of Pubsey and Co. He is soundly thrashed by Alfred Lammle, and quietly pockets the affront.—C. Dickens, Our Mutual Friend (1864).
Fleecebump´kin (3 syl.), bailiff of Mr. Ireby, the country squire.—Sir W. Scott, The Two Drovers (time, George III.).
Fleece´em (Mrs.), meant for Mrs. Rudd, a smuggler, thief, milliner, matchmaker and procuress.—Sam. Foote, The Cozeners.
Fleetwood or The New Man of Feeling, the hero of a novel so named by W. Godwin (1805).
Flemings (The Farmer). Yeoman-farmer of Kent, dull, honest plodder.