flying kite

noun Nautical.

any of various sails set above the royals or skysails in light weather; jolly jumper.
any of various light upper staysails, studdingsails, or jibs.
(in yachting) any of various racing sails, as spinnakers or balloon jibs.

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a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.
Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.
unproductive; unfruitful
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Also called kite.

Origin of flying kite

First recorded in 1810–20

Words nearby flying kite

flying gurnard, flying head, flying jenny, flying jib, flying jib boom, flying kite, flying lemur, flying lizard, flying machine, flying mare, flying moor
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for flying kite

  • There was a good deal of special skill required for the production of a flying-kite.

    Stories of Invention|Edward E. Hale

  • It is very destructive to the flying-kite school, and many lives have been sacrificed by it.

    The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth