a. [f. FLOCK sb.2 + -Y1.]
1. a. Resembling flock; flock-like. b. Abounding with flocks or locks of woolly matter; floccose.
1597. Gerard, Herball, I. lxxiv. § 1. 107. The whole plant consisteth of a woollie or flockie matter.
1707. J. Stevens, trans. Quevedo’s Com., Wks. (1709), 469. Flocky Heads and clotted Hair, squab Noses, and Blubber Lips, are no better grounds for our Captivity.
1833. Herschel, Astron., xii. 403. It [this nebula] is formed of little flocky masses, like wisps of cloud; and such wisps seem to adhere to many small stars at its outskirts.
1838. T. Thomson, Chem. Org. Bodies, 96. Bicolorin has a snow-white colour, and is usually in the state of a light flocky powder, somewhat resembling carbonate of magnesia in appearance.
2. Comb., as flocky-white adj.
c. 1865. J. Wylde, in Circ. Sc., I. 191/2. The zinc becomes oxidised, producing, in abundance, a flocky-white powder, which has been called ‘philosophers’ wool.’
