flying kite

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various sails set above the royals or skysails in light weather; jolly jumper.

2. any of various light upper staysails, studdingsails, or jibs.

3. (in yachting) any of various racing sails, as spinnakers or balloon jibs.

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Etymology

Origin of flying kite

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

In an interview in 2014 a member of Shanghai’s Public Security Bureau said that “a fugitive is like a flying kite: even though he is abroad, the string is in China.”

From Economist • Mar. 28, 2018

A fugitive is like a flying kite, he said.

From New York Times • Aug. 16, 2015

He made from thin wood a large circular runner, and in front of it placed the weighty god, sending it up to the flying kite along the throbbing cord.

From Lair of the White Worm by Stoker, Bram

Besides the sail usually carried by man-of-war schooners, she had the requisite appertenances for a royal and flying kite, or sky-sail, which, now that she was in port, were all rigged up.

From The Portland Sketch Book by Various