7. Any appendage resembling the wing of a bird or insect in shape or
appearance. Specifically: (a) (Zoöl.) One of the broad, thin, anterior
lobes of the foot of a pteropod, used as an organ in swimming. (b)
(Bot.) Any membranaceous expansion, as that along the sides of certain
stems, or of a fruit of the kind called samara. (c) (Bot.) Either of
the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower.
8. One of two corresponding appendages attached; a sidepiece. Hence:
(a) (Arch.) A side building, less than the main edifice; as, one of the
wings of a palace. (b) (Fort.) The longer side of crownworks, etc.,
connecting them with the main work. (c) (Hort.) A side shoot of a tree
or plant; a branch growing up by the side of another. [Obs.] (d) (Mil.)
The right or left division of an army, regiment, etc. (e) (Naut.) That
part of the hold or orlop of a vessel which is nearest the sides. In a
fleet, one of the extremities when the ships are drawn up in line, or
when forming the two sides of a triangle. Totten. (f) One of the sides
of the stags in a theater.
On the wing. (a) Supported by, or flying with, the wings another. — On
the wings of the wind, with the utmost velocity. — Under the wing, or
wings, of, under the care or protection of. — Wing and wing (Naut.),
with sails hauled out on either side; — said of a schooner, or her
sails, when going before the wind with the foresail on one side and the
mainsail on the other; also said of a square-rigged vessel which has
her studding sails set. Cf. Goosewinged. — Wing case (Zoöl.), one of
the anterior wings of beetles, and of some other insects, when
thickened and used to protect the hind wings; an elytron; — called also
wing cover. — Wing covert (Zoöl.), one of the small feathers covering
the bases of the wing quills. See Covert, n., 2. — Wing gudgeon
(Mach.), an iron gudgeon for the end of a wooden axle, having thin,
broad projections to prevent it from turning in the wood. See Illust.
of Gudgeon. — Wing shell (Zoöl.), wing case of an insect. — Wing
stroke, the stroke or sweep of a wing. — Wing transom (Naut.), the
uppermost transom of the stern; - - called also main transom. J.
Knowles.
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.
Who heaves old ocean, and whowings the storms.
Pope.
Living, to wing with mirth the weary hours.
Longfellow.