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noun

1. either of the two feathered forelimbs of a bird, fully developed for flying, as in most birds, or insufficiently developed for flight and used for balance in running, etc., as in chickens or ostriches, or for swimming, as in penguins or some ducks
2. either of the paired organs of flight of a bat, the lifting surface of which is formed by the membranous skin connecting the long, modified digits
3. either of the paired organs of flight of an insect, light membranous structures that are lateral outgrowths of the thorax supported by a network of veins
4. any of various winglike structures used by certain animals for gliding movements, as the patagium of flying squirrels or the enlarged pectoral fins of flyingfish
in art, mythology, etc., either of a pair of winglike structures associated with or attributed to gods, angels, demons, dragons, etc., or used as a symbol of speed or the like
something used as or like a wing; esp.,
1. a (or the) main lateral airfoil of an airplane
2. either of the inflatable pouches of a pair of water wings
something resembling a wing in position or in relation to the main part; esp.,
1. a part, extension, or annex of a building, with reference to its location at a side of the main part or its specialized use: the east wing, the surgical wing of a hospital
2. an outlying area, as of an estate
3. either of the two side extensions of the back of a wing chair
4. either part of a double door, screen, etc.
5. any of the sidepieces used in stage scenery; also, either side of the stage out of sight of the audience
6. any winglike anatomical or botanical part, as on some leafstalks or seeds; ala
7. a vane, as of a windmill
8. Brit. fender (sense )
a group of persons having a winglike relation to another group or to the entire body; specif.,
1. the section of an army, fleet, etc. to the right (or left) of the center
2. a section or faction, as of a political party, with reference to its radicalism or conservatism
3. an organization affiliated with or subsidiary to a parent organization
1. in hockey and certain other goal games, a position played forward and right (or left) of center
2. the player at such a position
1. any of various units in an air force; specif., in the U.S. Air Force, a unit smaller than a division and larger than an air group
2. the insignia worn by pilot and crew of an aircraft, esp. a military aircraft
the act of flying, or a means or manner of flying: now chiefly in give wing to and take wing (see phrases below)
anything represented as flying or soaring, or as carrying one to soaring heights of rapture, joy, etc.: on wings of song
Slang
1. a person's arm
2. ☆ Baseball a pitcher's throwing arm

transitive verb

to provide with wings
1. to cause to fly or speed as on wings: to wing an arrow at a target
2. to make (one's way) by flying
3. to pass through or over by or as if by flying
to transport by or as by flight
to wound, as with a bullet, in the wing, arm, etc.

intransitive verb

to go swiftly on or as on wings; fly

Related Forms:

wingless adjective

See wing in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(wĭng)

noun

One of a pair of movable organs for flying, as the feather-covered modified forelimb of a bird or the skin-covered modified digits of the forelimb of a bat.
Any of usually four membranous organs for flying that extend from the thorax of an insect.
A winglike organ or structure used for flying, as the folds of skin of a flying squirrel or the enlarged pectoral fin of a flying fish.
Botany
a. A thin or membranous extension, such as of the fruit of the elm, maple, or ash or of the seed of the pine.
b. One of the lateral petals of the flower of a pea or of most plants in the pea family.
Informal An arm of a human.
An airfoil whose principal function is providing lift, especially either of two such airfoils symmetrically positioned on each side of the fuselage of an aircraft.
Something that resembles a wing in appearance, function, or position relative to a main body.
a. The act or manner of flying.
b. A means of flight or rapid movement: Fear lent wings to his feet.
a. Something, such as a weathervane, that is moved by or moves against the air.
b. The sail of a ship.
Chiefly British The fender of a motor vehicle.
A folding section, as of a double door or of a movable partition.
Either of the two side projections on the back of a wing chair.
a. A flat of theatrical scenery projecting onto the stage from the side.
b. wings The unseen backstage area on either side of the stage of a proscenium theater.
A structure attached to and connected internally with the side of a main building.
A section of a large building devoted to a specific purpose: the children's wing of the hospital.
A group affiliated with or subordinate to an older or larger organization.
a. Either of two groups with opposing views within a larger group; a faction.
b. A section of a party, legislature, or community holding distinct, especially dissenting, political views: the conservative wing.
a. Either the left or right flank of an army or a naval fleet.
b. An air force unit larger than a group but smaller than a division.
Sports
a. Either of the forward positions played near the sideline, especially in hockey.
b. A player who plays such a position.
wings An outspread pair of stylized bird's wings worn as insignia by qualified pilots or air crew members.

verb winged winged, wing·ing, wings

verb, intransitive

To move on or as if on wings; fly.

verb, transitive

a. To furnish with wings.
b. To cause or enable to fly or speed swiftly along.
To feather (an arrow).
a. To pass over or through with or as if with wings.
b. To carry or transport by or as if by flying.
c. To effect or accomplish by flying.
To throw or dispatch (a ball, for example).
a. To wound the wing of (a game bird, for example).
b. To wound superficially, as in an appendage.
To furnish with side or subordinate extensions, as a building or an altarpiece.

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