Background for flies

flies

/flaɪz/

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noun

The open area above a stage where scenery and equipment may be hung.

Examples :

""The stage crew raised the enormous backdrop into the flies after the first act." "

architecture building stage entertainment

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noun

Any insect of the order Diptera; characterized by having two wings (except for some wingless species), also called true flies.

Examples :

"The children swatted at the flies buzzing around the picnic basket. "

insect animal biology nature organism

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noun

(non-technical) Especially, any of the insects of the family Muscidae, such as the common housefly (other families of Diptera include mosquitoes and midges).

Examples :

"During the summer picnic, annoying flies buzzed around our food. "

insect animal nature biology organism

Illustration flies - Image 1

noun

Any similar, but unrelated insect such as dragonfly or butterfly.

Examples :

"While technically not true flies, butterflies are often called "flies" by young children due to their ability to fly. "

insect animal biology organism nature

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noun

A lightweight fishing lure resembling an insect.

Examples :

"He carefully tied colorful flies to his fishing line, hoping to attract trout. "

fish insect utensil sport

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noun

A chest exercise performed by moving extended arms from the sides to in front of the chest. (also flye)

Examples :

"He built up his chest muscles by including flies in his weightlifting routine. "

sport body action

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noun

A witch's familiar.

Examples :

"The old woman swore her black cat, one of her flies, warned her of impending danger. "

mythology religion supernatural literature

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noun

Examples :

"The farmer sprayed the cows to protect them from the flies that bite and suck their blood, acting as parasites. "

animal insect organism biology

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noun

The butterfly stroke (plural is normally flys)

Examples :

"At the swim meet, Maria practiced her flies before the race. "

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noun

(preceded by definite article) A simple dance in which the hands are shaken in the air, popular in the 1960s.

Examples :

"At the 1960s-themed party, everyone learned the flies, shaking their hands wildly in the air. "

dance music entertainment culture

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noun

The action of flying; flight.

Examples :

"The child watched, fascinated, as the bird's graceful flies carried it higher into the sky. "

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noun

An act of flying.

Examples :

"There was a good wind, so I decided to give the kite a fly."

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noun

Examples :

"The batter hit a high flies to center field. "

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noun

A type of small, fast carriage (sometimes pluralised flys).

Examples :

""In the old city center, we saw several flies waiting to take tourists on tours." "

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noun

A piece of canvas that covers the opening at the front of a tent.

Examples :

"We had to fix one of the flies on our tent because the wind tore it during the storm. "

architecture material

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noun

(often plural) A strip of material (sometimes hiding zippers or buttons) at the front of a pair of trousers, pants, underpants, bootees, etc.

Examples :

"Ha-ha! Your flies are undone!"

appearance wear part style

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noun

The free edge of a flag.

Examples :

"The wind tugged at the flies of the American flag, causing it to ripple. "

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noun

The horizontal length of a flag.

Examples :

"The flies of all the flags in front of the United Nations headquarters were standardized to be the same length. "

nautical heraldry

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noun

An exercise that involves wide opening and closing of the arms perpendicular to the shoulders.

Examples :

"He does dumbbell flies at the gym to build his chest muscles. "

sport body action

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noun

The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the wind blows.

Examples :

"The flies on the weather vane always point towards the wind, showing us where it's coming from. "

direction weather sailing nautical

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noun

That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.

Examples :

"The tremor made the flies of the ship's compass spin wildly, making navigation difficult. "

nautical direction device

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noun

Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock.

Examples :

"The old clock uses flies to control the speed of its chimes. "

machine technology part

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noun

A heavy wheel, or cross arms with weights at the ends on a revolving axis, to regulate or equalize the motion of machinery by means of its inertia, where the power communicated, or the resistance to be overcome, is variable, as in the steam engine or the coining press. See flywheel.

Examples :

"The old printing press uses heavy flies to keep its motion smooth and consistent, even when the operator pauses between pulls. "

technology machine physics energy part

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noun

A light horse-drawn carriage that can be hired for transportation.

Examples :

"After a long day of sightseeing, we decided to hire one of the flies waiting near the train station to take us back to our hotel. "

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noun

In a knitting machine, the piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch.

Examples :

"The knitting machine's flies help create a consistent stitch by holding the yarn loop securely as the needle moves. "

machine technical industry work device

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noun

The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.

Examples :

"The spinning wheel's flies were adjusted to make the yarn tighter. "

machine utensil technical agriculture

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noun

A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or jerk.

Examples :

"The weaver checked the loom after one of the flies broke, halting the fabric production. "

machine technical

Illustration flies - Image 1

noun

The person who took the printed sheets from the press.

Examples :

"The flies carefully stacked the freshly printed newspapers, making sure not to smudge the ink. "

job person work industry

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noun

A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power printing press for doing the same work.

Examples :

"The printing press operator carefully adjusted the flies to ensure the freshly printed newspapers stacked neatly. "

machine technology industry

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noun

One of the upper screens of a stage in a theatre.

Examples :

"The actors walked onto the stage through the flies. "

stage building entertainment architecture

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noun

(cotton manufacture) waste cotton

Examples :

"The textile factory recycled the flies to make new yarn. "

material industry

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verb

To hit a fly ball; to hit a fly ball that is caught for an out. Compare ground (verb) and line (verb).

Examples :

"Jones flied to right in his last at-bat."

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verb

To travel through the air, another gas or a vacuum, without being in contact with a grounded surface.

Examples :

"Birds of passage fly to warmer regions as it gets colder in winter."

action physics vehicle

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verb

To flee, to escape (from).

Examples :

"Fly, my lord! The enemy are upon us!"

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verb

To cause to fly (travel or float in the air): to transport via air or the like.

Examples :

"Birds fly their prey to their nest to feed it to their young."

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verb

(of a proposal, project or idea) To be accepted, come about or work out.

Examples :

""The teacher was worried that her idea for a class trip wouldn't fly with the principal, but he approved it immediately." "

outcome business achievement plan

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verb

To travel very fast, hasten.

Examples :

"Time flies when you're having fun. "

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verb

To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly.

Examples :

"a door flies open; a bomb flies apart"

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verb

To display (a flag) on a flagpole.

Examples :

"The school flies the national flag every morning before classes. "

nation government heraldry

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verb

To hunt with a hawk.

Examples :

"The falconer flies his hawk in the open field every afternoon, hoping to catch a rabbit. "

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noun

(rural) A wing.

Examples :

"The farmer carefully adjusted the flies of the barn door to let in the morning air. "