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1. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fly \Fly\ (fl[imac]), v. i. [imp. Flew (fl[=u]); p. p. Flown
   (fl[=o]n); p. pr. & vb. n. Flying.] [OE. fleen, fleen,
   fleyen, flegen, AS. fle['o]gan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG.
   fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. flj[=u]ga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve,
   Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh.
   to L. pluma feather, E. plume. [root]84. Cf. Fledge,
   Flight, Flock of animals.]
   1. To move in or pass through the air with wings, as a bird.

   2. To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass
      or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.
      [1913 Webster]

            Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
                                                  --Job v. 7.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate
      rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around;
      rumor flies.
      [1913 Webster]

            Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on.
                                                  --Bryant.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an
      enemy or a coward flies. See Note under Flee.
      [1913 Webster]

            Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.   --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ? --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly
      or swiftly; -- usually with a qualifying word; as, a door
      flies open; a bomb flies apart.
      [1913 Webster]

   To fly about (Naut.), to change frequently in a short time;
      -- said of the wind.

   To fly around, to move about in haste. [Colloq.]

   To fly at, to spring toward; to rush on; to attack
      suddenly.

   To fly in the face of, to insult; to assail; to set at
      defiance; to oppose with violence; to act in direct
      opposition to; to resist.

   To fly off, to separate, or become detached suddenly; to
      revolt.

   To fly on, to attack.

   To fly open, to open suddenly, or with violence.

   To fly out.
      (a) To rush out.
      (b) To burst into a passion; to break out into license.

   To let fly.
      (a) To throw or drive with violence; to discharge. "A man
          lets fly his arrow without taking any aim." --Addison.
      (b) (Naut.) To let go suddenly and entirely; as, to let
          fly the sheets.
          [1913 Webster]

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