fledge

[flej]

verb (used with object)

fledged, fledging 

1. to bring up (a young bird) until it is able to fly.

2. to furnish with or as if with feathers or plumage.

3. to provide (an arrow) with feathers.

verb (used without object)

fledged, fledging 

1. (of a young bird) to acquire the feathers necessary for flight.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  (of young birds) able to fly.

fledge

/ flɛdʒ /

verb

1. (tr) to feed and care for (a young bird) until it is able to fly

2. Also called: fletch. (tr) to fit (something, esp an arrow) with a feather or feathers

3. (intr) (of a young bird) to grow feathers

4. (tr) to cover or adorn with or as if with feathers

Other Word Forms

• fledgeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledge¹

1350–1400; Middle English flegge (fully-)fledged, Old English *flecge, as variant of -flycge; cognate with Old High German flucki, Middle Low German vlügge (> German flügge ); akin to fly ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of fledge¹

Old English -flycge , as in unflycge unfledged; related to Old High German flucki able to fly; see _fly ¹

Example Sentences

But this is still not fully fledged radical reform on the scale that is needed to tackle a social, fiscal and economic crisis.

From BBC

Gizmo is the fifth eaglet from Jackie and Shadow who has fledged.

From Los Angeles Times

Gizmo’s head swiveled, monitoring as Sunny fledged, or made an inaugural flight from the nest.

From Los Angeles Times

Hovering differs from fledging because the latter is when the eaglets actually leave the nest.

From Los Angeles Times

The birds are expected to fledge, or fly for the first time, between 10 and 14 weeks of age.

From Los Angeles Times