Flighted: meaning, definitions and examples
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flighted
[ ˈflaɪtɪd ]
aerial movement
The term 'flighted' is often used in aviation to refer to the action of an aircraft being in the air or taking off. It can also signify something that has been made to fly or become airborne, often in a controlled manner. In sports, particularly in tennis or badminton, 'flighted' can describe a shot that is hit high and lands softly, giving it a paradoxical quality of being both powerful and delicate. This dual usage emphasizes the contrast inherent in 'flighted' actions, whether in a literal or figurative sense.
Synonyms
ascended, flew, hovered, soared.
Examples of usage
- The bird flighted gracefully across the sky.
- She flighted the shuttlecock over the net skillfully.
- The aircraft flighted over the mountains.
Etymology
The word 'flighted' originates from the Middle English word 'flit,' which means to move swiftly or to fly. The root of the word can be traced back to Old English 'flyht,' which denoted the concept of flight or the act of flying. As the English language evolved, the term began to encompass various forms of aerial movement or the action associated with airborne entities. In aviation and sports contexts, 'flighted' took on specialized meanings, conveying both the literal and figurative aspects of lifting off from the ground or moving through the air with intent and purpose. Thus, the historical evolution of the word reflects humanity's longstanding fascination with flight and the development of related technologies and sports.