Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FLIGHT, n. [flīte; Sax. fliht; G. flug, flucht; D. vlugt; Dan. flugt; Sw. flycht. 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. Matth. xxiv. 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. Milton.
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. Tillotson
13. The power of flying. Shak.
14. In certain lead works, a substance that flies off in smoke. Encyc. Flight of stairs, the series of stairs from the floor, or from one platform to another.