wing

plural wings · alternative obsolete weng · alternative obsolete whing · alternative obsolete wyng

1. countableuncountablebiologyAn appendage of an animal's (bird, bat, insect) body that enables it to fly.

   The bird was flapping its wings

2. countableuncountableA fin at the side of a ray or similar fish.
3. countableslanguncountableHuman arm.
4. countableuncountableaeronauticsPart of an aircraft that produces the lift for rising into the air.

   I took my seat on the plane, overlooking the wing.

5. countableuncountableOne of the large pectoral fins of a flying fish.
6. countableuncountableOne of the broad, thin, anterior lobes of the foot of a pteropod, used as an organ in swimming.
7. countableuncountablebiologyAny membranaceous expansion, such as that along the sides of certain stems, or one of the bracts on a dragon fruit, or of a fruit of the kind called samara.
8. countableuncountablebiologyEither of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower.
9. countableuncountableA side shoot of a tree or plant; a branch growing up by the side of another.
10. countableuncountablePassage by flying; flight.

    to take wing

    1 more example

    Light thickens; and the crow / Makes wing to the rooky wood.

    c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

11. countableuncountableLimb or instrument of flight; means of flight or of rapid motion.

    Fiery expedition be my wing.

    c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]

12. countableuncountableA part of something that is lesser in size than the main body, and located at the side, such as an extension from the main building.

    the wings of a corkscrew

    1 more example

    the west wing of the hospital

13. countablefigurativelyuncountableEither of two similar parts of something.

    Before going any farther on a wild goose chase I should advise you to verify the admitted American influence in the affair as connectible with Rigby Lacksome […]. Until that point is settled both wings of your deductions are purely in the air.

    1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

14. countableuncountableOne of the longer sides of crownworks or hornworks in fortification.
15. Multicultural London EnglishabbreviationcountableellipsisslanguncountableEllipsis of prison wing, a cellblock; or prison or doing time by extension.

    They got bro-bro stuck on the wing, cah I picked up and bullet him

    2021 July 18, “‘Woop’ Freestyle” (0:25 from the start), Trizz (lyrics)

16. countableuncountableAnything that agitates the air as a wing does, or is put in winglike motion by the action of the air, such as a fan or vane for winnowing grain, the vane or sail of a windmill, the sail of a ship, etc.

    Fair ship, that from the Italian shore, ⁠Sailest the placid ocean-plains ⁠With my lost Arthur’s loved remains, Spread thy full wings, and waft him o’er.

    1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto IX”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC

17. countableuncountableA protruding piece of material on a menstrual pad or diaper to hold it in place and prevent leakage.

    It's a bit annoying but (like sanitary pads with wings) it's worth it if you want to stay extra secure.

    2017, Laura Bates, Girl Up, page 8

18. countableuncountableAn ornament worn on the shoulder; a small epaulet or shoulder knot.
19. countableuncountableA cosmetic effect where eyeliner curves outward and ends at a point.
20. countableuncountableA faction of a political movement. Usually implies a position apart from the mainstream center position.
21. An organizational grouping in a military aviation service:
    1. UKcountableuncountableA unit of command consisting of two or more squadrons and itself being a sub-unit of a group or station.
    2. UScountableuncountableA larger formation of two or more groups, which in turn control two or more squadrons.
22. UKcountableuncountableA panel of a car which encloses the wheel area, especially the front wheels.

    Synonyms: fender, guard

23. countableuncountablenauticalA platform on either side of the bridge of a vessel, normally found in pairs.
24. countableuncountablenauticalThat part of the hold or orlop of a vessel which is nearest the sides. In a fleet, one of the extremities when the ships are drawn up in line, or when forming the two sides of a triangle.

    their ends may rest a little below the orlop-wing gratings

    1864, William M. Brady, The Kedge-anchor

25. countableuncountablehobbiesA position in several field games on either side of the field.

    Smith started the game in the centre of midfield, but moved to the wing after 30 minutes.

26. countableuncountablehobbiesA player occupying such a position; a winger.

    The Tottenham wing was causing havoc down the right and when he broke past the bemused Sasa Balic once again, Bellamy was millimetres from connecting with his cross as the Liverpool striker hurled himself at the ball.

    2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegro”, in BBC

27. countableinformalrareuncountablemediaA háček.

    ˇ wing, wedge, hǎcek, inverted circumflex (Karel Čapek)

    1985, David Grambs, Literary Companion Dictionary, page 378

28. countableuncountableentertainmentOne of the unseen areas on the side of the stage in a theatre.

    The performers crowded breathlessly in the wings.

    1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, →OCLC, page 176

29. countablein pluraluncountableThe insignia of a qualified pilot or aircrew member.

    Anyone and everyone with wings - press officers, operations specialists, even General Curtis LeMay, commander of the U.S. Air Force in Europe - was put on flight duty and took turns flying double shifts for "Operation Vittles."

    2004, Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage

30. countableuncountableA portable shelter consisting of a fabric roof on a frame, like a tent without sides.
31. countableuncountableOn the enneagram, one of the two adjacent types to an enneatype that forms an individual's subtype of his or her enneatype.

    Tom's a 4 on the enneagram, with a 3 wing.

32. collectivecountableuncountableA group of plover.

    A wing of plover , followed by a pack of grouse , were too much for him - or rather , too much for me, for he left me to pursue them

    1893, Amelia E. Barr, The Beads of Tasmer, James Clark, page 86

    1 more example

    Some sportsmen make no scruple about firing into the "thick" of a wing of plovers, and killing as many as they can: plovers being birds that are "here to-day, and gone to-morrow;" and they are so restless and wary, that but few shots can at any time of year be had at them.

    1860, Marksman (pseud.), The Dead Shot Or Sportsman's Complete Guide..., Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, page 290

present singular third person wings · participle present winging · participle past winged · past winged · colloquial participle past wung · colloquial past wung

1. transitiveTo injure slightly (as with a gunshot), especially in the wing or arm.
2. intransitiveTo fly.

   Birds are winging, no rain is falling from a heavy sky

   1970, “Box of Rain”, in Robert Hunter (lyrics), Phil Lesh (music), American Beauty (LP record), performed by Grateful Dead

   1 more example

   Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of mauve-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees; she saw a crimson cardinal winging through the foliage, and amorous tanagers flashing like scarlet flames athwart the pines.

   1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “Afterglow”, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 168

3. intransitiveTo travel swiftly.

   He had pulled up so expertly that the man escaped, so smoothly that not a passenger was jarred, and now he sat with a dazed and vacant expression on his face, leaning forward on his steering wheel, while caustic inquiry and retort winged unheeded up and down the line behind him.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

4. transitiveTo add a wing (extra part) to.
5. transitiveTo act or speak extemporaneously; to improvise; to wing it.

   I lost all my notes I'd made, so was partially winging the meeting.

6. transitiveTo throw.

   Synonyms: fling, hurl, bung, cast, chuck, chunk, cook, dash

7. transitiveTo furnish with wings.
8. transitiveTo transport with, or as if with, wings; to bear in flight, or speedily.

   ⁠Deep folly! yet that this could be— ⁠That I could wing my will with might ⁠To leap the grades of life and light, And flash at once, my friend, to thee: […]

   1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XL”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 62

9. transitiveTo traverse by flying.

1. A surname.
2. A large village and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, England, previously in Aylesbury Vale district (OS grid ref SP8822).
3. A village and civil parish in Rutland, England (OS grid ref SK8903).
4. An unincorporated community in Covington County, Alabama, United States.
5. A small town in Burleigh County, North Dakota, United States.