I. ˈwiŋ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English winge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Swedish vinge wing; akin to Sanskrit vāti it blows — more at wind
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly ; also : such an appendage even though rudimentary if possessed by an animal belonging to a group characterized by the power of flight
b. : any of various anatomical structures (as of a flying fish or flying lemur) providing means of limited flight
2. : an appendage or part resembling a wing in appearance, position, or function: as
a. : a device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming or staying afloat
b. : ala
c. : a turned-back or extended edge on an article of clothing
d. : a sidepiece at the top of an armchair
e.
(1) : a foliaceous, membranous, or woody expansion of a plant especially along a stem or on a samara or capsule
(2) : either of the two lateral petals of a papilionaceous flower
f. : a vane of a windmill or arrow
g. : sail
h. : an airfoil that develops a major part of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft
i. chiefly British : fender d
3. : a means of flight or rapid progress
4. : the act or manner of flying : flight
take wing
5. : a side or outlying region or district
6. : a part or feature of a building usually projecting from and subordinate to the main or central part
the servants' wing
7.
a. : one of the pieces of scenery at the side of a stage
b. plural : the area at the side of the stage out of sight
8.
a. : a left or right section of an army or fleet : flank
b. : one of the offensive positions or players on either side of a center position in certain team sports ; also : flanker
9.
a. : either of two opposing groups within an organization or society : faction
b. : a section of an organized body (as a legislative chamber) representing a group or faction holding distinct opinions or policies — compare left wing , right wing
10.
a. : a unit of the United States Air Force higher than a group and lower than a division
b. : two or more squadrons of naval airplanes
11. : a dance step marked by a quick outward and inward rolling glide of one foot
12. plural : insignia consisting of an outspread pair of stylized bird's wings which are awarded on completion of prescribed training to a qualified pilot, aircrew member, or military balloon pilot
• wingy ˈwiŋ-ē adjective
•
- in the wings
- on the wing
- under one's wing
[
wing 1a: parts of a bird's wing: 1 coverts, 2 primaries, 3 secondaries
]
II. verb
Date: 1591
transitive verb
1.
a. : to fit with wings
b. : to enable to fly or move swiftly
2.
a. : to traverse with or as if with wings
b. : to effect or achieve by flying
3. : to let fly : dispatch
would start to wing punches — A. J. Liebling
4.
a. : to wound in the wing : disable the wing of
wing ed the duck
b. : to wound (as with a bullet) without killing
wing ed by a sniper
5. : to do or perform without preparation or guidelines : improvise
wing ing it
intransitive verb
: to go with or as if with wings : fly — often used with it
wing ed it to Europe