fly

1. v. i. To move in or pass thorugh the air with wings, as a bird. Source: opted

2. v. i. To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse. Source: opted

3. v. i. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag. Source: opted

4. v. i. To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies. Source: opted

5. v. i. To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under Flee. Source: opted

6. v. i. To word/move">move word/suddenly">suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly; -- usually with a qualifying word; as, a door flies open; a bomb flies apart. Source: opted

7. v. t. To cause to fly or to float in the air, as a bird, a kite, a flag, etc. Source: opted

8. v. t. To fly or flee from; to shun; to avoid. Source: opted

9. v. t. To hunt with a hawk. Source: opted

10. v. i. Any winged insect; esp., one with transparent wings; as, the Spanish fly; firefly; gall fly; dragon fly. Source: opted

11. v. i. Any dipterous insect; as, the house fly; flesh fly; black fly. See Diptera, and Illust. in Append. Source: opted

12. v. i. A hook dressed in imitation of a fly, -- used for fishing. Source: opted

13. v. i. A familiar spirit; a witch's attendant. Source: opted

14. v. i. A parasite. Source: opted

15. v. i. A kind of light carriage for rapid transit, plying for hire and usually drawn by one horse. Source: opted

16. v. i. The length of an extended flag from its staff; sometimes, the length from the "union" to the extreme end. Source: opted

17. v. i. The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the wind blows. Source: opted

18. v. i. That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card. Source: opted

19. v. i. Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock. Source: opted

20. v. i. A heavy wheel, or cross arms with weights at the ends on a revolving axis, to regulate or equalize the motion of machinery by means of its inertia, where the power communicated, or the resistance to be overcome, is variable, as in the steam engine or the coining press. See Fly wheel (below). Source: opted

21. v. i. The piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch. Source: opted

22. v. i. The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn. Source: opted

23. v. i. A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or jerk. Source: opted

24. v. i. Formerly, the person who took the printed sheets from the press. Source: opted

25. v. i. A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power to a power printing press for doing the same work. Source: opted

26. v. i. The outer canvas of a tent with double top, usually drawn over the ridgepole, but so extended as to touch the roof of the tent at no other place. Source: opted

27. v. i. One of the upper screens of a stage in a theater. Source: opted

28. v. i. The fore flap of a bootee; also, a lap on trousers, overcoats, etc., to conceal a row of buttons. Source: opted

29. v. i. A batted ball that flies to a considerable distance, usually high in the air; also, the flight of a ball so struck; as, it was caught on the fly. Source: opted

30. a. Knowing; wide awake; fully understanding another's meaning. Source: opted

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