flying kite
- 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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Origin of flying kite
First recorded in 1810–20
Also called kite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for flying kite
Historical Examples
It is very destructive to the flying-kite school, and many lives have been sacrificed by it.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
There was a good deal of special skill required for the production of a flying-kite.
Stories of InventionEdward E. Hale