The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat. --Evelyn.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter,
      darted from a fire; a flash.
      [1913 Webster]

            With flakes of ruddy fire.            --Somerville.
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   3. (Bot.) A sort of carnation with only two colors in the
      flower, the petals having large stripes.
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   4. a person who behaves strangely; a flaky[2] person.
      [Colloq.]
      [PJC]

   Flake knife (Arch[ae]ol.), a cutting instrument used by
      savage tribes, made of a flake or chip of hard stone.
      --Tylor.

   Flake stand, the cooling tub or vessel of a still worm.
      --Knight.

   Flake white. (Paint.)
      (a) The purest white lead, in the form of flakes or
          scales.
      (b) The trisnitrate of bismuth. --Ure.
          [1913 Webster]