wings
English meaning: Wings
Definition
An appendage of an animal's (bird, bat, insect) body that enables it to fly; a similar fin at the side of a ray or similar fish
Example
“The eagle spread its wings and soared above the valley.”
Another example: “The understudy waited nervously in the wings for her cue.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A concrete noun with literal (bird, insect, aircraft) and many figurative or institutional senses: the side parts of a building or stage ('in the wings'), a faction of a party ('the left wing'), and units in sport and the military. 'Take someone under your wing' means to protect them.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old Norse 'vaengir', plural of 'vaengr' (wing), entering Middle English in the 12th century and replacing the native 'fether'.
Synonyms
- pinion
- appendage
- flank
- faction
Related Words
- fliers
- spars
- webbed
- forked
- struts
- fuselage
- boomerang
- forewing
- undercarriage
- tails
Common Collocations
- spread its wings
- aircraft wing
- take under your wing
- in the wings
- left wing
- clip someone's wings
Word Forms
wing (n); wings (pl); winged (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B