Definition of "flaw"

flaw¹

/ˈflɔː/

noun
plural flaws
1. (obsolete) A flake, fragment, or shiver.
2. (obsolete) A thin cake, as of ice.
3. A crack or breach, a gap or fissure; a defect of continuity or cohesion.
  Quotations
  This heart / Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws.
  c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene iv]
4. A defect, fault, or imperfection, especially one that is hidden.
  Quotations
  Has not this also its flaws and its dark side?
  1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, 6th edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727
  1. (in particular) An inclusion, stain, or other defect of a diamond or other gemstone.
  2. (law) A defect or error in a contract or other document which may make the document invalid or ineffective.
verb
third-person singular simple present flaws, present participle flawing, simple past and past participle flawed
1. (transitive) To add a flaw to, to make imperfect or defective.
2. (intransitive) To become imperfect or defective; to crack or break.

/ˈflɔː/