fledge

fledge  (flj)

v. fledged, fledg·ing, fledg·es

v.tr.

1. To take care of (a young bird) until it is ready to fly.

2. To cover with or as if with feathers.

3. To provide (an arrow) with feathers.

v.intr.

To grow the plumage necessary for flight.

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[Probably from obsolete fledge, feathered, from Middle English flegge, from Old English *flycge; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]

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fledge [flɛdʒ]

vb

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) (tr) to feed and care for (a young bird) until it is able to fly

2. (Individual Sports & Recreations / Archery) (tr) Also called fletch to fit (something, esp an arrow) with a feather or feathers

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) (intr) (of a young bird) to grow feathers

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

[Old English -flycge, as in unflycge unfledged; related to Old High German flucki able to fly; see fly¹]

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	fledge - feed, care for, and rear young birds for flight parent, bring up, nurture, rear, raise - bring up; "raise a family"; "bring up children"
	2.	fledge - decorate with feathers; "fledge an arrow" flight adorn, decorate, grace, ornament, embellish, beautify - make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; "Decorate the room for the party"; "beautify yourself for the special day"
	3.	fledge - grow feathers; "The young sparrows are fledging already" feather acquire, develop, produce, grow, get - come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes); "He grew a beard"; "The patient developed abdominal pains"; "I got funny spots all over my body"; "Well-developed breasts"