fledge adjective. [flɛdʒ] obsolete exc. dial. LME.
[Prob. repr. base of Old English unfligge, glossing Latin implumes unfledged; corresp. to Middle Dutch vlugghe (Dutch vlug), Old High German flucchi (German flügge is from Low German), from West Germanic, from base of FLY verb.]
1. Of a young bird: fit to fly, fledged. LME.
b. fig. High-spirited. LME-M17.

2. Provided with feathers for flight. M17.
fig.:
■ Milton All the fond hopes, which forward Youth and Vanitie are fledge with.

■ fledgeless adjective unfledged M18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

fledge verb & noun. [flɛdʒ] M16.
[from the adjective.]
A. verb.
1. verb intrans. Of a young bird: develop feathers large enough for flight; become fully plumed. M16.
Bird Watching Young ravens take about six weeks to fledge.

2. verb trans. Bring up (a young bird) until its feathers are developed enough for flight. L16.

3. verb trans. Provide (a bird, an arrow) with feathers; adorn with feathers; cover (as) with feathers or down. L16.
■ L. P. Hartley Low hills rose behind the town, green hills already fledged with autumn yellow.
b. noun. A feather or downlike covering. rare. E20.
■ D. H. Lawrence He had now a black fledge on his upper lip, a black finely-shaped line.

■ fledged ppl adjective able to fly; fig. mature, independent: L16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲