Background for fly

fly

/flaɪ/

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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 fly buzzing around the classroom was annoying the students. "

insect animal biology organism essential

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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 :

"The fly buzzing around the garbage can was annoying. "

insect animal biology nature essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The garden was full of buzzing flies and colorful butterflies. "

insect animal essential

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noun

A lightweight fishing lure resembling an insect.

Examples :

"My grandfather used a bright red fly to catch some trout. "

insect fish sport essential

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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 did a few flies during his workout at the gym. "

body sport anatomy essential

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noun

A witch's familiar.

Examples :

"The old woman's fly, a small black cat, often sat on her windowsill. "

mythology supernatural religion essential

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noun

Examples :

"The fly buzzing around the garbage can is a common house fly, a type of parasite. "

animal insect biology essential

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noun

The butterfly stroke (plural is normally flys)

Examples :

"My swimming coach taught me the fly stroke. "

sport essential

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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 :

"The Fly was a popular dance at the school disco in the 1960s. "

dance culture entertainment essential

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noun

The action of flying; flight.

Examples :

"The bird's fly was graceful and swift. "

action nature essential

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noun

An act of flying.

Examples :

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

action physics essential

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noun

A fly ball.

Examples :

"The batter hit a fly ball to center field. "

sport essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The children were excited to see the old flys at the antique car show. "

vehicle essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The fly of the tent was ripped, so we had to fix it before the rain started. "

part material building essential

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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!"

wear style appearance body part item essential

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noun

The free edge of a flag.

Examples :

"The fly of the American flag was slightly frayed. "

nautical part essential

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noun

The horizontal length of a flag.

Examples :

"The fly of the school's flag is quite long. "

nautical heraldry essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The physical therapist showed me how to do the fly exercise to strengthen my shoulder muscles. "

sport body action physiology essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The weather vane's fly was pointing directly towards the north, indicating a strong northerly wind. "

direction nautical weather essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The teacher pointed to the fly on the compass and showed the class where north was located. "

nautical part direction essential

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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 clock's intricate fly mechanism kept the hands moving smoothly. "

machine technical part essential

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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 printing press used a large flywheel to smooth out the variations in the printing force. "

machine technology physics part essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The family took a fly to the beach for a day trip. "

vehicle essential

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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 fly held the loop securely while the needle worked. "

machine technical essential

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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 fly on the spinning wheel twisted the yarn tighter, making it stronger. "

machine technology technical essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The fly was knocked from the shed by a sudden gust of wind. "

machine technical industry essential

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noun

The person who took the printed sheets from the press.

Examples :

"The fly delivered the exam papers to the teacher's desk. "

job person work essential

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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 adjusted the fly to ensure the printing was consistent. "

technology machine industry essential

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noun

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

Examples :

"The actors practiced their lines on the fly, the upper screen of the stage. "

stage building entertainment architecture essential

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noun

(cotton manufacture) waste cotton

Examples :

"The textile factory used the fly to make a cheaper, less-refined type of thread. "

material industry essential

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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."

sport essential

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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 vehicle nature science physics space essential

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verb

To flee, to escape (from).

Examples :

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

action way essential

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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."

vehicle action essential

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verb

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

Examples :

"The school's new fundraising plan flew with the student body. "

outcome business essential

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verb

To travel very fast, hasten.

Examples :

"To get to school on time, she flew down the street. "

action vehicle essential

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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"

action essential

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verb

To display (a flag) on a flagpole.

Examples :

"The school's flag was flown proudly during the morning assembly. "

nation government military heraldry essential

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verb

To hunt with a hawk.

Examples :

"The falconer taught his son how to fly a hawk for hunting rabbits. "

sport animal bird essential

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adjective

Quick-witted, alert, mentally sharp.

Examples :

"My little brother is a very fly student; he always answers questions quickly and correctly in class. "

mind character person attitude quality ability essential

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adjective

Well dressed, smart in appearance; in style, cool.

Examples :

"My brother is very fly in his new outfit. "

appearance style essential

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adjective

Beautiful; displaying physical beauty.

Examples :

"My sister has a fly demeanor; she always looks so elegant. "

appearance essential

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noun

(rural) A wing.

Examples :

"The farmer used the strong fly to keep the birds away from his crops. "

animal part essential