— fledgeless , adj.
/flej/ , v. , fledged, fledging , adj.
v.t.
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.
v.i.
4. (of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.
adj.
5. Archaic. (of young birds) able to fly.
[ 1350-1400; ME flegge (fully-)fledged, OE * flecge, as var. of -flycge; c. OHG flucki, MLG vlügge ( > G flügge ); akin to FLY 1 ]