See Also: fledge(1)(dictionary)
fledge(2)(dictionary)

fledge(2) (iou)



fledge verb & noun. M16.
[from the adjective.]
A. verb.
verb intrans. Of a young bird: develop feathers large enough for flight; become fully plumed. M16.
Bird Watching Young ravens take about six weeks to fledge.
verb trans. Bring up (a young bird) until its feathers are developed enough for flight. L16.
verb trans. Provide (a bird, an arrow) with feathers; adorn with feathers; cover (as) with feathers or down. L16.
L. P. Hartley Low hills rose behind the town, green hills already fledged with autumn yellow.
b. noun. A feather or downlike covering. rare. E20.
D. H. Lawrence He had now a black fledge on his upper lip, a black finely-shaped line.
fledged ppl adjective able to fly; fig. mature, independent: L16.