flight

FLIGHT, noun [See Fly.] 1. The act of fleeing; the act of running away, to escape danger or expected evil; hasty departure. Pray ye that your flight be not in winter. Matthew 24:20. To put to flight to turn to flight is to compel to run away; to force to escape. 2. The act of flying; a passing through the air by the help of wings; volation; as the flight of birds and insects. 3. The manner of flying. Every fowl has its particular flight; the flight of the eagle is high; the flight of the swallow is rapid, with sudden turns. 4. Removal from place to place by flying. 5. A flock of birds flying in company; as a flight of pigeons or wild geese. 6. A number of beings flying or moving through the air together; as a flight of angels. 7. A number of things passing through the air together; a volley; as a flight of arrows. 8. A periodical flying of birds in flocks; as the spring flight or autumnal flight of ducks or pigeons. 9. In England, the birds produced in the same season. 10. The space passed by flying. 11. A mounting; a soaring; lofty elevation and excursion; as a flight of imagination or fancy; a flight of ambition. 12. Excursion; wandering; extravagant sally; as a flight of folly. 13. The power of flying. 14. In certain lead works, a substance that flies off in smoke. FLIGHT of stairs, the series of stairs from the floor, or from one platform to another.