noun
definition
The open area above a stage where scenery and equipment may be hung.
noun
definition
Any insect of the order Diptera; characterized by having two wings (except for some wingless species), also called true flies.
definition
(non-technical) Especially, any of the insects of the family Muscidae, such as the common housefly (other families of Diptera include mosquitoes and midges).
definition
Any similar, but unrelated insect such as dragonfly or butterfly.
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A lightweight fishing lure resembling an insect.
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A chest exercise performed by moving extended arms from the sides to in front of the chest. (also flye)
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A witch's familiar.
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A parasite.
definition
The butterfly stroke (plural is normally flys)
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(preceded by definite article) A simple dance in which the hands are shaken in the air, popular in the 1960s.
noun
definition
The action of flying; flight.
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An act of flying.
example
There was a good wind, so I decided to give the kite a fly.
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A fly ball.
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A type of small, fast carriage (sometimes pluralised flys).
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A piece of canvas that covers the opening at the front of a tent.
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(often plural) A strip of material (sometimes hiding zippers or buttons) at the front of a pair of trousers, pants, underpants, bootees, etc.
example
Ha-ha! Your flies are undone!
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The free edge of a flag.
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The horizontal length of a flag.
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An exercise that involves wide opening and closing of the arms perpendicular to the shoulders.
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The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the wind blows.
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That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.
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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.
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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.
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A light horse-drawn carriage that can be hired for transportation.
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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.
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The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.
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A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or jerk.
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The person who took the printed sheets from the press.
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A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power printing press for doing the same work.
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One of the upper screens of a stage in a theatre.
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(cotton manufacture) waste cotton
verb
definition
To hit a fly ball; to hit a fly ball that is caught for an out. Compare ground (verb) and line (verb).
example
Jones flied to right in his last at-bat.
verb
definition
To travel through the air, another gas or a vacuum, without being in contact with a grounded surface.
example
Birds of passage fly to warmer regions as it gets colder in winter.
definition
To flee, to escape (from).
example
Fly, my lord! The enemy are upon us!
definition
To cause to fly (travel or float in the air): to transport via air or the like.
example
Birds fly their prey to their nest to feed it to their young.
definition
(of a proposal, project or idea) To be accepted, come about or work out.
example
Let's see if that idea flies.
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To travel very fast, hasten.
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To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly.
example
a door flies open; a bomb flies apart
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To display (a flag) on a flagpole.
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To hunt with a hawk.
noun
definition
(rural) A wing.
example
The bullet barely grazed the wild fowl's fly.