fledge
/fledge/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To raise a young bird until it has grown the feathers necessary for flight.
- To fit or decorate an arrow with feathers (a flight).
Verb (intransitive):
- (Of a young bird) To grow the feathers needed for flying.
Usage and Examples
- Transitive Verb (to care for young birds):
- The mother bird worked tirelessly to fledge her chicks.
- Wildlife rehabilitators fledge many orphaned birds each summer.
- Transitive Verb (to fit with feathers):
- The archer carefully fledged each arrow for stability in flight.
- Intransitive Verb (to develop feathers):
- The young robins will fledge in about two weeks.
- Once the nestlings fledge, they still depend on their parents for food.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- In Ornithology: The term is used precisely to describe the stage when a nestling's wing feathers are sufficiently developed for its first flight. A bird that has left the nest is called a fledgling.
- Figurative Use: While less common, "fledge" can be used metaphorically to describe preparing someone or something for independence.
- The internship program is designed to fledge the next generation of engineers.
Variants and Related Words
- Fledged (adjective): Having the feathers necessary for flight; mature or developed.
- A fully fledged eagle.
- A fully fledged member of the organization.
- Fledgling (noun/adjective):
- (Noun) A young bird that has just grown its flight feathers.
- The fledgling hopped on the ground near the nest.
- (Adjective) New, inexperienced, or just beginning.
- A fledgling democracy.
- Flight (noun): In archery, the feathered end of an arrow.
Synonyms
- For raising birds: Rear, raise, nurture.
- For growing feathers: Develop feathers, mature.
- For fitting arrows: Feather, van.
Antonyms
- For the intransitive meaning: Remain flightless, be unfeathered.
Verb
- grow feathers
- The young sparrows are fledging already
- decorate with feathers
- fledge an arrow
- feed, care for, and rear young birds for flight