wing

[ wing ]

/ wɪŋ /

noun

either of the two forelimbs of most birds and of bats, corresponding to the human arms, that are specialized for flight.

either of two corresponding parts in flightless birds, which may be rudimentary, as in certain ratite birds, or adapted for swimming, as in penguins.

one of the paired, thin, lateral extensions of the body wall of an insect, located on the mesothorax and the metathorax, by means of which it flies.

a similar structure with which gods, angels, demons, etc., are conceived to be provided for the purpose of flying.

Slang. an arm of a human being, especially a baseball player's pitching or throwing arm.

a means or instrument of flight, travel, or progress.

the act or manner of flying.

something resembling or likened to a bird's wing, as a vane or sail of a windmill.

Aeronautics.

one of a pair of airfoils attached transversely to the fuselage of an aircraft and providing lift.
both airfoils, taken collectively.

Architecture. a part of a building projecting on one side of, or subordinate to, a central or main part.

Furniture. either of two forward extensions of the sides of the back of an easy chair.

either of the two side portions of an army or fleet, usually called right wing and left wing, and distinguished from the center; flank units.

an administrative and tactical unit of the U.S. Air Force consisting of two or more groups, headquarters, and certain supporting and service units.

(in flight formation) noting a position to the side and just to the rear of another airplane.

Fortification. either of the longer sides of a crownwork, uniting it to the main work.

Sports. (in some team games) any one of the positions, or a player in such a position, on the far side of the center position, known as the left and right wings with reference to the direction of the opposite goal.

Theater.

the platform or space on the right or left of the stage proper.
wing flat.

Anatomy. an ala: the wings of the sphenoid.

Botany.

any leaflike expansion, as of a samara.
one of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower.

either of the parts of a double door, screen, etc.

the feather of an arrow.

a faction within a political party, as at one extreme or the other: conflict between the right wing and the left wing.

Nautical. one of the far side areas of the hold of a merchant vessel.

British. a fender of an automobile, truck, bicycle, or other vehicle.

verb (used with object)

to equip with wings.

to enable to fly, move rapidly, etc.; lend speed or celerity to.

to supply with a winglike part, a side structure, etc.

to transport on or as on wings.

to perform or accomplish by wings.

to traverse in flight.

to wound or disable in the wing: to wing a bird.

to wound (a person) in an arm or other nonvital part.

to bring down (as a flying bird) by a shot.

Informal. to throw; lob: He winged a ball through the neighbor's window.

to brush or clean with a wing.

Theater. to perform (a part, role, etc.) relying on prompters in the wings.

verb (used without object)

to travel on or as if on wings; fly; soar: They are winging to the coast.

Idioms for wing

on the wing,

in flight, or flying: a bird on the wing.
in motion; traveling; active: Scouts are on the wing in search of a new talent.

take wing,

to begin to fly; take to the air.
to leave in haste; depart: Our resolutions to economize swiftly took wing.

under one's wing, under one's protection, care, or patronage: She took the orphan under her wing.

wing it, Informal. to accomplish or execute something without sufficient preparation or experience; improvise: He had no time to study, so he had to wing it.

Origin of wing

1125–75; Middle English wenge (plural noun) < Old Danish wingæ; compare Norwegian, Swedish vinge, Old Norse vǣngr

OTHER WORDS FROM wing

out·wing, verb (used with object)

Words nearby wing

winetasting, winey, winfield, winfred, winfrey, wing, wing and wing, wing bar, wing beat, wing bit, wing bolt

British Dictionary definitions for on the wing

wing

/ (wɪŋ) /

noun

either of the modified forelimbs of a bird that are covered with large feathers and specialized for flight in most species

one of the organs of flight of an insect, consisting of a membranous outgrowth from the thorax containing a network of veins

either of the organs of flight in certain other animals, esp the forelimb of a bat

a half of the main supporting surface on an aircraft, confined to one side of it
the full span of the main supporting surface on both sides of an aircraft
an aircraft designed as one complete wing
a position in flight formation, just to the rear and to one side of an aircraft

an organ or apparatus resembling a wing
anatomy any bodily structure resembling a wingthe wings of a sphenoid bone Technical name: ala

anything suggesting a wing in form, function, or position, such as a sail of a windmill or a ship

botany

either of the lateral petals of a sweetpea or related flower
any of various outgrowths of a plant part, esp the process on a wind-dispersed fruit or seed

a means or cause of flight or rapid motion; flight fear gave wings to his feet

the act or manner of flying a bird of strong wing

British the part of a car body that surrounds the wheels US and Canadian name: fender

any affiliate of or subsidiary to a parent organization

sport

either of the two sides of the pitch near the touchline
a player stationed in such a position; winger

a faction or group within a political party or other organization See also left wing, right wing

a part of a building that is subordinate to the main part

(plural) the space offstage to the right or left of the acting area in a theatre

in the wings ready to step in when needed

fortifications a side connecting the main fort and an outwork

a folding panel, as of a double door or a movable partition

either of the two pieces that project forwards from the sides of some chairbacks

the US name for quarterlight

a surface fitted to a racing car to produce aerodynamic download to hold it on the road at high speed

(plural) an insignia in the form of stylized wings worn by a qualified aircraft pilot

a tactical formation in some air forces, consisting of two or more squadrons

any of various flattened organs or extensions in lower animals, esp when used in locomotion

the side of a hold alongside a ship's hull

the outside angle of the cutting edge on the share and mouldboard of a plough

a jetty or dam for narrowing a channel of water

on a wing and a prayer with only the slightest hope of succeeding

on the wing

flying
travelling
about to leave

take wing

to lift off or fly away
to depart in haste
to become joyful

under one's wing in one's care or tutelage

clip someone's wings

to restrict someone's freedom
to thwart someone's ambition

on wings flying or as if flying

spread one's wings or stretch one's wings to make full use of one's abilities

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to make (one's way) swiftly on or as if on wings

to shoot or wound (a bird, person, etc) superficially, in the wing or arm, etc

to cause to fly or move swiftly to wing an arrow

to fit (an arrow) with a feather

to provide with wings

(of buildings, altars, etc) to provide with lateral extensions

wing it informal to accomplish or perform something without full preparation or knowledge; improvise

Derived forms of wing

winglike, adjective

Word Origin for wing

C12: from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse vǣngir (plural), Norwegian veng

Medical definitions for on the wing

wing

[ wĭng ]

n.

Any of various paired movable organs of flight, such as the modified forelimb of a bird or bat or one of the membranous organs extending from the thorax of an insect.

Something that resembles a wing in appearance, function, or position relative to a main body.

Scientific definitions for on the wing

wing

[ wĭng ]

One of a pair of specialized parts used for flying, as in birds, bats, or insects.

A thin, papery projection on certain fruits that are dispersed by the wind, such as the fruits of ash, elm, and maple trees. See also samara.

A part extending from the side of an aircraft, such as an airplane, having a curved upper surface that causes the pressure of air rushing over it to decrease, thereby providing lift.

Idioms and Phrases with on the wing (1 of 2)

on the wing

In flight, usually referring to a bird as opposed to a plane. For example, Louise is very good at identifying birds on the wing. [Late 1400s]

Active, in motion, as in Coaches are always on the wing, trying to recruit talented athletes. This usage may be obsolescent. [c. 1500]

Idioms and Phrases with on the wing (2 of 2)

wing

In addition to the idiom beginning with wing

wing it

also see:

clip someone's wings
in the wings
left wing
on the wing
take flight (wing)
under someone's wing

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

wing