fledge
[flej]
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verb (used with object), fledged, fledg·ing.
to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly.
to furnish with or as if with feathers or plumage.
to provide (an arrow) with feathers.
verb (used without object), fledged, fledg·ing.
(of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.
adjective
Archaic. (of young birds) able to fly.
Origin of fledge
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 fly1
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for fledge
Historical Examples of fledge
I again took it up, and he continued, 'James, Byron hits the mark where I don't even pretend to fledge my arrow.'
Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume V (of 10)John Gibson Lockhart
The Emperor of France is said to be interested in the art of flying and to have given money to fledge some inventions.
And look here, Fledge, why do William's toes turn out at such a fearful angle?
The HaloBettina von Hutten
But will and means, In mortals, for the cause ye well discern, With unlike wings are fledge.
The Vision of Paradise, CompleteDante Alighieri
At that tyme my cat got a fledge yong sparrow which had onely a right wyng naturally.
fledge
verb
Word Origin for fledge
Old English -flycge, as in unflycge unfledged; related to Old High German flucki able to fly; see fly 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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