flight 1
/fluyt/ , n.
1. the act, manner, or power of flying.
2. the distance covered or the course taken by a flying object: a 500-mile flight; the flight of the ball.
3. a trip by an airplane, glider, etc.
4. a scheduled trip on an airline: a 5 o'clock flight.
5. a number of beings or things flying or passing through the air together: a flight of geese.
6. the basic tactical unit of military air forces, consisting of two or more aircraft.
7. the act, principles, or technique of flying an airplane: flight training.
8. a journey into or through outer space: a rocket flight.
9. swift movement, transition, or progression: the flight of time.
10. a soaring above or transcending ordinary bounds: a flight of fancy.
11. a series of steps between one floor or landing of a building and the next.
12. Archery.
a. See flight arrow .
b. the distance such an arrow travels when shot.
v.i.
13. (of wild fowls) to fly in coordinated flocks.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE flyht; c. D vlucht; akin to FLY 1 ]
Syn. 5. flock. 9. rush, dash, fleetingness.
flight 2
/fluyt/ , n.
1. an act or instance of fleeing or running away; hasty departure.
2. put to flight , to force to flee or run away; rout: She succeeded in putting the intruder to flight.
3. take flight , to retreat; run away; flee: The wild animals took flight before the onrushing fire. Also, take to flight .
[ 1150-1200; ME; c. G Flucht; akin to FLEE ]