Fly (flī), v. i. [imp.Flew (flū); p. p.Flown (flōn); p. pr. & vb. n.Flying.] [OE. fleen, fleen, fleyen, flegen, AS. fleógan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG. fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. fljūga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve, Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh. to L. pluma feather, E. plume. √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.
3. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.
Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job v. 7.
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.
Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race. Milton.
The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on. Bryant.
5. To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under Flee.
Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. Milton.
Whither shall I fly to escape their hands? Shak.
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.
To fly about(Naut.), to change frequently in a short time; — said of the wind. — To fly around, to move about in haste. — 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.