wing

wing
wing (n.) late 12c., wenge, from O.N. vængr "wing of a bird, aisle, etc." (Cf. Dan., Swed. vinge "wing"), of unknown origin, perhaps from a P.Gmc. *we-ingjaz and ultimately from PIE root *we- "blow" (Cf. O.E. wawan "to blow;" see WIND (Cf. wind) (n.)). Replaced O.E. feðra (pl.) "wings" (see FEATHER (Cf. feather)). The meaning "either of two divisions of a political party, army, etc." is first recorded c.1400; theatrical sense is from 1790. Verbal phrase wing it (1885) is from theatrical slang sense of an actor learning his lines in the wings before going onstage, or else not learning them at all and being fed by a prompter in the wings. The verb to wing "shoot a bird in the wing" is from 1802. The slang sense of to earn (one's) wings is 1940s, from the wing-shaped badges awarded to air cadets on graduation. To be under (someone's) wing "protected by (someone)" is recorded from early 13c. Phrase on a wing and a prayer is title of a 1943 song about landing a damaged aircraft.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Wing — Wing, n. [OE. winge, wenge; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. vinge, Icel. v[ae]ngr.] [1913 Webster] 1. One of the two anterior limbs of a bird, pterodactyl, or bat. They correspond to the arms of man, and are usually modified for flight …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wing — heißen die Orte: Wing (Alabama), Ort in den USA Wing (Buckinghamshire), Ort in England Ort der All Saints Church (Wing) Wing (Oakham) in Leicestershire, Mize Maze in England Wing (Rutland), Ort in England Port Wing (Wisconsin), Stadt in den USA… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • wing — /wing/, n. 1. either of the two forelimbs of most birds and of bats, corresponding to the human arms, that are specialized for flight. 2. either of two corresponding parts in flightless birds, which may be rudimentary, as in certain ratite birds …   Universalium

  • wing — [wiŋ] n. [ME winge, weng < ON vaengr (for IE base see WIND2): the word replaced OE fether, wing, FEATHER] 1. a) either of the two feathered forelimbs of a bird, fully developed for flying, as in most birds, or insufficiently developed for… …   English World dictionary

  • Wing On — (zh c|c=永安) is a department store in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1907, and it is the second Chinese owned department store in Hong Kong. It has five outlets providing 360,000 square feet (33,400 square metre) of shopping space.Its founders are… …   Wikipedia

  • wing — ► NOUN 1) a modified forelimb or other appendage enabling a bird, bat, insect, or other creature to fly. 2) a rigid horizontal structure projecting from both sides of an aircraft and supporting it in the air. 3) a part of a large building,… …   English terms dictionary

  • Wing — Wing, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Winged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Winging}.] 1. To furnish with wings; to enable to fly, or to move with celerity. [1913 Webster] Who heaves old ocean, and whowings the storms. Pope. [1913 Webster] Living, to wing with mirth… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • WinG — (sprich: Win Gee) ist eine Grafik Programmierschnittstelle für Windows 3.1, die bis Windows 98 Second Edition unterstützt wurde und anschließend komplett in die Graphics Device Interface (GDI) übernommen wurde. Grund für ihre Entwicklung waren… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Wing — Wing, ND U.S. city in North Dakota Population (2000): 124 Housing Units (2000): 89 Land area (2000): 0.589750 sq. miles (1.527446 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.589750 sq. miles (1.527446 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Wing, ND — U.S. city in North Dakota Population (2000): 124 Housing Units (2000): 89 Land area (2000): 0.589750 sq. miles (1.527446 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.589750 sq. miles (1.527446 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

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