■ noun
1》 the action or process of flying.
↘a journey made in an aircraft or in space.
↘the movement or trajectory of a projectile through the air.
2》 a flock of birds or body of insects flying in the air.
3》 a group of aircraft operating together, especially an RAF or USAF unit of about six aircraft.
4》 the action of fleeing.
5》 a series of steps between floors or levels.
↘a sequence of locks by which a canal ascends an incline.
↘a series of hurdles across a racetrack.
6》 a highly imaginative but impractical idea: a ~ of fancy.
7》 the tail of an arrow or dart.
■ verb
1》 Brit. (in sport) deliver (a ball) with well-judged trajectory and pace.
2》 provide (an arrow or dart) with a ~.
3》 shoot (wildfowl) in ~.
Phrases
in full ~ while moving very fast.
take ~
1》 (of a bird) take off and fly.
2》 flee.
Origin
OE flyht , of Gmc origin; related to fly 1 .