fly

fly

fly¹ [flī]

vi.

FLEW or, for vi. 10, flied, flown or, for vi. 10, flied, flying, flew [ME flien, flegen < OE fleogan, akin to MDu vlegen, Ger fliegen < IE * pleuk- < base * pleu-: see FLOW]

1. to move through the air; specif.,

a) to move through the air by using wings, as a bird does

b) to travel through the air in an aircraft or through space in a spacecraft

c) to be propelled through the air

2. to operate an aircraft or spacecraft

3. to wave or float in the air, as a flag or kite does

4. to move swiftly [the door flew open]

5. to appear to pass swiftly [time flies]

6. to be used up swiftly: said of money, etc.

7. to run away; flee

8. Informal to be successful, acceptable, etc. [that explanation just won't fly]

9. to hunt with a hawk

10. Baseball to hit a fly

vt.

1.

a) to cause to float in the air [fly a kite]

b) to display (a flag) as from a pole

2. to operate (an aircraft or spacecraft)

3.

a) to travel over in an aircraft

b) to travel via (a particular airline, aircraft, etc.)

4. to carry or transport in an aircraft

5. to run away from; flee from; avoid

6. to use (a hawk) to hunt game

7. Theater to suspend (flats, lights, etc.) in the space above the stage

n.

pl. flies

1. Rare the act of flying; flight

2.

a) a garment closure concealing the zipper, buttons, etc. by a fold or flap of cloth, esp. such a closure in the front of a pair of trousers: in full fly front

b) such a fold or flap

3.

a) a flap serving as the door of a tent

b) a piece of fabric serving as an outer or second top on a tent

4.

a) the length of an extended flag measured from the staff outward

b) the outside edge of a flag

5. a regulating device, as for a clockwork mechanism, consisting of vanes radiating from a rotating shaft

6.

a) FLYWHEEL

b) FLYLEAF

7. Brit. a hackney carriage

8. Baseball a ball batted high in the air, esp. within the foul lines

9. Football a pass pattern in which the receiver runs straight up the field at full speed

10. [pl.] Theater the space behind and above the proscenium arch, containing overhead lights, raised flats, etc.

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fly at

to attack suddenly by or as by flying or springing toward

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fly into

to have a violent outburst of [fly into a rage]

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fly off

to go away quickly or suddenly; hurry off

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☆ fly out pt. & pp.flied

Baseball to be put out by hitting a fly that is caught by a fielder

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let fly at or let fly

1. to shoot or throw (at)

2. to direct a verbal attack (at)

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on the fly

1. while in flight

2. Informal while in a hurry

fly² [flī]

n.

pl. flies [ME flie < OE fleoge (akin to Ger fliege) < base fleogan: see FLY¹]

1.

a) any dipterous insect; esp., the housefly

b) any of several four-winged insects from various orders, as the mayfly or caddis fly

2. a hook covered with feathers, colored silk, etc. to resemble an insect, used as a lure in fishing: a wet fly drifts below the surface of the water, and a dry fly floats on it

3. Printing a device on a flatbed press for removing and stacking the printed sheets

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fly in the ointment

anything, esp. a little thing, that reduces or destroys the value or usefulness of something else

fly³ [flī]

adj.

flier, fliest [orig., thieves' slang < ? FLY¹]

1. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] alert and knowing; sharp; quick

2. Slang fashionable, stylish, attractive, etc.