fly
1fly
verb \ˈflī\flew\ˈflü\flown\ˈflōn\fly·ing
Definition of FLY
intransitive verb
1
a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air <flags flying at half-mast>
3
a : to move, pass, or spread quickly <rumors were flying> b : to be moved with sudden extreme emotion <flew into a rage> c : to seem to pass quickly <the time simply flew>
4
: to become expended or dissipated rapidly
5
: to operate or travel in an airplane or spacecraft
6
: to work successfully : win popular acceptance <knew … a pure human-rights approach would not fly — Charles Brydon>
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to fly, float, or hang in the air <flying a kite> b : to operate (as a balloon, aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft) in flight c : to journey over or through by flying
3
: to transport by aircraft or spacecraft
— fly at
: to assail suddenly and violently
— fly blind
: to fly an airplane solely by instruments
— fly high
: to be elated
— fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of
: to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of
Origin of FLY
Middle English flien, from Old English flēogan; akin to Old High German fliogan to fly and probably to Old English flōwan to flow
First Known Use: before 12th century
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