Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object), fledged, fledg·ing.
- to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly.
- to furnish with or as if with feathers or plumage.
- to provide (an arrow) with feathers.
verb (used without object), fledged, fledg·ing.
- (of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.
adjective
- Archaic. (of young birds) able to fly.
verb
- (tr) to feed and care for (a young bird) until it is able to fly
- Also called: fletch (tr) to fit (something, esp an arrow) with a feather or feathers
- (intr) (of a young bird) to grow feathers
- (tr) to cover or adorn with or as if with feathers
Old English *-flycge (Kentish -flecge),an adjective meaning “having the feathers, fit to fly,” from West Germanic *fluggja- (cf. Middle Dutch vlugge, Low German flügge), from root meaning “to fly” (see fly (v.)). As a verb, it is first attested in English 1560s. Related: Fledged; fledging.