wing

¹wing

noun, often attributive \ˈwiŋ\

Definition of WING

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

1

: out of sight in the stage wings

2

: close at hand in the background : readily available <had a plan waiting in the wings>

— on the wing

1

: in flight : flying

2

: in motion

— under one's wing

: under one's protection : in one's care <took her under his wing>

Examples of WING

1. In the library's north wing, you'll find the current periodicals.
2. She works in the pediatric wing of the hospital.
3. The guest room is in the east wing.

Illustration of WING

Origin of WING

Middle English winge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan & Swedish vinge wing; akin to Sanskrit vāti it blows — more at wind

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to WING

Synonyms

bloc, block, body, coalition, party, sect, set, side, faction

Related Words

splinter, split; crew, gang, pack, team; denomination, persuasion; schism, scission; caucus, movement

Rhymes with WING

bring, Ching, cling, ding, fling, king, ling, Ming, ping, ring, sing, sling, spring, sting, string, swing, thing, wring, zing

²wing

verb

Definition of WING

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 <winged the duck>

b : to wound (as with a bullet) without killing <winged by a sniper>

5

: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines : improvise <winging it>

intransitive verb

: to go with or as if with wings : fly —often used with it <winged it to Europe>

Examples of WING

1. The team winged to Moscow for the finals.
2. She winged the ball over to first base.
3. The soldier was winged by a stray bullet.

First Known Use of WING

1591

Related to WING

Synonyms

aviate, glide, plane, soar, fly

Related Words

drift, float, hang, hover, waft; coast, cruise, sail, sweep; dart, flit, flutter; catapult, helicopter, jet, orbit, rocket; dive, stoop

wing

noun \ˈwiŋ\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of WING

1

: one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly

2

: a winglike anatomical part or process : ala; especially : any of the four winglike processes of the sphenoid bone—see greater wing, lesser wing

—winged \ˈwiŋd, ˈwiŋ-əd\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation) adjective

wing

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In zoology, one of the paired structures certain animals use for flying. Bat and bird wings are modifications of the vertebrate forelimb. In birds, the fingers are reduced and the forearm is lengthened. The primary flight feathers propel the bird forward, and the secondaries (on the upper wing) provide lift. Bat wings consist of a membrane stretched over slender, elongated arm and hand bones. Insect wings are folds of integument (“skin”). Most insects have two pairs of wings; dipterans (flies) have only one developed pair, and beetles have two but use only one for flying. The two wings on a side usually move together, but dragonfly wings work independently.