Definition

Adjective: * Having wings that are long and thin in proportion to their length; characterized by slender wings.

Usage

This adjective is used specifically to describe creatures, most commonly insects or birds, whose wings are notably narrow and elongated relative to their body size. It is a descriptive, often technical term.

Examples

• The slender-winged damselfly hovered delicately above the pond's surface.
• Researchers studied the aerodynamics of the slender-winged hawk moth.
• This species of crane fly is easily identified by its slender-winged appearance.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in comparative biology: "The dragonflies are generally more robust, while the damselflies are notably more slender-winged."
• It can be applied figuratively in poetry or descriptive writing to evoke grace and lightness: "Her thoughts took flight on slender-winged hopes."

Variants and Related Words

• Slender (adj): (of a person or part of the body) gracefully thin; (of a thing) having little width in proportion to its length.
• Winged (adj): Having wings for flight.
• Narrow-winged (adj): Similar in meaning, emphasizing the lack of width.
• Long-winged (adj): Emphasizing the length of the wings, which often correlates with slenderness.

Synonyms

• Narrow-winged
• Thin-winged
• Gracile-winged (more technical/poetic)

Antonyms

• Broad-winged
• Stout-winged
• Robust-winged

Adjective

1. having slender wings