fledge

[ flej ]

verb (used with object)

, fledged, fledg·ing.

1. to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly.
2. to furnish with or as if with feathers or plumage.
3. to provide (an arrow) with feathers.

verb (used without object)

, fledged, fledg·ing.

1. (of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.

adjective

1. Archaic. (of young birds) able to fly.

fledge

/ flɛdʒ /

verb

1. tr to feed and care for (a young bird) until it is able to fly
2. Also calledfletch tr to fit (something, esp an arrow) with a feather or feathers
3. intr (of a young bird) to grow feathers
4. tr to cover or adorn with or as if with feathers

Other Words From

• fledgeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledge¹

1350–1400; Middle English flegge (fully-)fledged, Old English *flecge, as variant of -flycge; cognate with Old High German flucki, Middle Low German vlügge (> German flügge ); akin to fly ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledge¹

Old English -flycge , as in unflycge unfledged; related to Old High German flucki able to fly; see fly ¹

Example Sentences

And look here, Fledge, why do William's toes turn out at such a fearful angle?

From Project Gutenberg

But will and means, In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, With unlike wings are fledge.

From Project Gutenberg

At that tyme my cat got a fledge yong sparrow which had onely a right wyng naturally.

From Project Gutenberg

I've watched 'em break shell an' come out an' fledge an' learn to fly an' begin to sing, till I think I'm one of 'em.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1814 he was ready to say, "Byron hits the mark where I don't even pretend to fledge my arrow."

From Project Gutenberg