tent fly

Origin of tent fly

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

A tent-fly had been made to do duty for a roof at the Colonel's.

Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6) |John McElroy
Is a piece of canvas valuable only for a tent-fly, but worthless as a painting?

Your National Parks |Enos A. Mills
We sailed down Lake Lindeman with a fair brisk wind, using our tent-fly braced against a pole, for a sail.

Through the Yukon Gold Diggings |Josiah Edward Spurr
Benjamin stooped over a mass of bedding, rolled up in a tent-fly, and brought to light a canvas bag.

The Tale of Timber Town |Alfred Grace

Both turned on him for separating them; but he was into the tent-fly and nearly out of range.

Watched by Wild Animals |Enos A. Mills