Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Flake \Flake\, n. [Etym. uncertain; cf. 1st {Fake}.]
   A flat layer, or fake, of a coiled cable.

         Flake after flake ran out of the tubs, until we were
         compelled to hand the end of our line to the second
         mate.                                    --F. T.
                                                  Bullen.

Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flaki, fleki, Dan. flage,
   D. vlaak.]
   1. A paling; a hurdle. [prov. Eng.]

   2. A platform of hurdles, or small sticks made fast or
      interwoven, supported by stanchions, for drying codfish
      and other things.

            You shall also, after they be ripe, neither suffer
            them to have straw nor fern under them, but lay them
            either upon some smooth table, boards, or flakes of
            wands, and they will last the longer. --English
                                                  Husbandman.

   3. (Naut.) A small stage hung over a vessel's side, for
      workmen to stand on in calking, etc.

Flake \Flake\ (fl[=a]k), n. [Cf. Icel. flakna to flake off,
   split, flagna to flake off, Sw. flaga flaw, flake, flake
   plate, Dan. flage snowflake. Cf. {Flag} a flat stone.]
   1. A loose filmy mass or a thin chiplike layer of anything; a
      film; flock; lamina; layer; scale; as, a flake of snow,
      tallow, or fish. ``Lottle flakes of scurf.'' --Addison.

            Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat. --Evelyn.

   2. A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter,
      darted from a fire; a flash.

            With flakes of ruddy fire.            --Somerville.

   3. (Bot.) A sort of carnation with only two colors in the
      flower, the petals having large stripes.

Flake \Flake\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flaked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Flaking}.]
   To form into flakes. --Pope.

Flake \Flake\, v. i.
   To separate in flakes; to peel or scale off.

Source : WordNet®

flake
     v 1: form into flakes; "The substances started to flake"
     2: cover with flakes or as if with flakes
     3: come off in flakes or thin small pieces; "The paint in my
        house is peeling off" [syn: {peel off}, {peel}, {flake off}]

flake
     n 1: a crystal of snow [syn: {snowflake}]
     2: a person with an unusual or odd personality [syn: {eccentric},
         {eccentric person}, {oddball}, {geek}]
     3: a small fragment of something broken off from the whole; "a
        bit of rock caught him in the eye" [syn: {bit}, {chip}, {fleck},
         {scrap}]