English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English flegge, fligge, flygge, from Old English *flyċġe (able to fly, fledged) (attested in *unflyċġe, unfligge (unfledged)), from Proto-West Germanic *flugi, from Proto-Germanic *flugjaz (able to fly, fledged), from Proto-Indo-European *plewk- (to run, flow, be swift, flee, fly).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /flɛd͡ʒ/
    • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛdʒ

Verb edit

fledge (third-person singular simple present fledges, present participle fledging, simple past and past participle fledged)

  1. (transitive) To care for a young bird until it is capable of flight.
  2. (intransitive) To grow, cover or be covered with feathers.
  3. (transitive) To decorate with feathers.
  4. (intransitive) To complete the last moult and become a winged adult insect.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Adjective edit

fledge (not comparable)

  1. (archaic) Feathered; furnished with feathers or wings; able to fly.