Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

fledge

 - 3 dictionary results

fledge

  [flej] verb, fledged, fledg⋅ing, adjective
Use fledge in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly.
2. to furnish with or as if with feathers or plumage.
3. to provide (an arrow) with feathers.
–verb (used without object)
4. (of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.
–adjective
5. Archaic. (of young birds) able to fly.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME flegge (fully-)fledged, OE *flecge, as var. of -flycge; c. OHG flucki, MLG vlügge (> G flügge); akin to fly 1

Related forms:
fledgeless, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fledge
fledge   (flěj)   
v.   fledged, fledg·ing, fledg·es

v.   tr.

  1. To take care of (a young bird) until it is ready to fly.

  2. To cover with or as if with feathers.

  3. To provide (an arrow) with feathers.

v.   intr.
To grow the plumage necessary for flight.

[Probably from obsolete fledge, feathered, from Middle English flegge, from Old English *flycge; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

fledge 
O.E. flycge (Kentish fligge), from W.Gmc. *fluggja- (cf. M.Du. vlugge, Low Ger. flügge). Originally an adj. meaning "having the feathers, fit to fly." As a verb, it is first attested in Eng. 1566. Fledgling is first recorded 1830.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see fledge on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way