fly1
• verb (flies; past flew; past part. flown) 1 (of a winged creature or aircraft) move through the air under control. 2 control the flight of or convey in (an aircraft). 3 move or be hurled quickly through the air. 4 go or move quickly. 5 wave or flutter in the wind. 6 (of a flag) be displayed on a flagpole. 7 (fly into) suddenly go into (a rage or other strong emotion). 8 (fly at) attack verbally or physically. 9 archaic flee. • noun (pl. flies) 1 (Brit. also flies) an opening at the crotch of a pair of trousers, closed with a zip or buttons. 2 a flap of material covering the opening of a tent. 3 (the flies) the space over the stage in a theatre. — PHRASES fly in the face of be openly at variance with (what is usual or expected). fly a kite informal try something out to test public opinion. fly off the handle informal lose one’s temper suddenly. — DERIVATIVES flyable adjective. — ORIGIN Old English, related to FLY2.
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