Fly v. i. [imp. Flew p. p. Flown p. pr. & vb. n. Flying.]
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. [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.