▪ I. ˈoutfly, n.
[out- 7.]
The act of flying out (fig.), a swift outburst of passion, etc.
| 1890 Clark Russell Ocean Trag. II. xvii. 74, I awaited some passionate outfly, but..he held his peace. |
▪ II. outˈfly, v.
[out- 14, 17, 18.]
1. intr. To fly out. (poetic.)
| 1599 T. M[oufet] Silkwormes 52 Few griefes from Pandors boxe out-flew But here they finde a medcine. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 663 He spake; and, to confirm his words, out-flew Millions of flaming swords. 1725 Pope Odyss. xii. 477 Now outflies The gloomy West [wind], and whistles in the skies. 1894 C. H. Cook Thames Rights 39 Now and again outflies from sedgy haunt the wary mallard. |
2. trans. To outstrip or surpass in flight; to fly beyond or past; spec. of aircraft and their pilots: to surpass in terms of skill or speed in flying.
| 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. v. 582 See how the Fowles are from my fancie fled,..Their flight out-flies me. c 1614 Sir W. Mure Dido & æneas ii. 458 He..Owtflyes the eagle and the silver swan. 1667 Dryden Tempest iv. iv. a 1711 Ken Hymnarium Poet. Wks. 1721 II. 102 To sacred Poets I apply, Who all scholastick Heights out-fly. 1800 Moore Anacreon xxiv. 18 She gave thee beauty—shaft of eyes, That every shaft of war outflies! 1859 G. Meredith R. Feverel xix, They have outflown Philosophy. 1908 H. G. Wells War in Air viii. 253 Light as this armament was.., it was sufficient for them to outfight as well as outfly the German monster airships. 1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) II. 94 It's no good outflying the Hun if you can't shoot him down. 1975 Listener 17 July 77/1 It could outfly the Focke Wulf Condor and..that sort of German bomber. 1976 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 28 Jan. 29/2 Capt. Stinson..flatly states that the computer can ‘out-land a human pilot three to one. I'll admit it can outfly me.’ |