tent fly

American  

noun

1. fly.

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Etymology

Origin of tent fly

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Take the opportunity to explore your patch of nature: sleep with the tent fly off so you can stargaze, forgo camping chairs in favor of a blanket on the grass.

From Slate • May 22, 2020

I consumed one of my stints on the beach by rigging a shade awning with a tent fly and some driftwood, a contraption that whipped about our heads like a ripped mainsail in a hurricane.

From Washington Post • Nov. 19, 2015

Before she could get out of the car and go into the bar, she saw the tent fly into the air.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2012

That lasted most of the night without letup, yet I had a fairly good sleep in my tent despite the incessant flapping of the tent fly.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2010

I pulled back the tent fly and stepped out; then I called to Mike, for the first thing I seen was that gold fillin' of ours.

From Laughing Bill Hyde and Other Stories by Beach, Rex Ellingwood