The word "flosses" is spelled with two s's at the end because it follows the rule of adding -es to words that end in -s, -x, -z, -ch or -sh to indicate pluralization. /ˈflɒsɪz/ is the IPA phonetic transcription of this word, indicating the pronunciation of 'f' as a voiceless labiodental fricative, 'l' as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant, 'o' as an open-mid back rounded vowel, 's' as a voiceless alveolar fricative, and 'z' as a voiced alveolar fricative.
Flosses, as a verb, is the third-person singular form of the present tense of the word "floss." The term "floss" can be used in different contexts and fields, but its most common definition refers to the act of cleaning or polishing teeth using a thin, thread-like material called dental floss or dental tape.
In dental hygiene, flossing is considered an essential practice alongside toothbrushing for maintaining oral health. It involves sliding a piece of floss between each pair of adjacent teeth, reaching the gum line, and gently removing plaque and food particles that may be trapped in the interdental spaces. Flossing effectively helps to prevent tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Beyond oral hygiene, "flosses" can also be used metaphorically to describe actions or behaviors that involve intricate or careful cleaning, arranging, or fine-tuning. For example, one may say an artist flosses their artwork to ensure every detail is perfected, or a designer flosses the layout of a website for optimal user experience.
In a less common context, "flosses" can also refer to a type of dance move, popularized in hip-hop culture, where an individual performs a showy or flamboyant style of dancing. This particular usage is derived from the term "flossing," which means to flaunt or show off something with pride or arrogance.
In summary, "flosses" primarily denotes the act of using dental floss for oral hygiene, but can also extend to symbolize the meticulous cleaning or arranging of objects, artistic pursuits, or a showy style of dance.
The word "flosses" originates from the noun "floss", which comes from Old French "flosche" and Late Latin "flosculus", meaning "a tuft of wool" or "a loose end of silk". "Floss" referred to the rough silk fibers separated from the main silk thread. The verb form "flosses" is derived from this noun, and it means to clean between the teeth using dental floss, which resembles the thread-like nature of the original material.