Wings represent the physical means of flight, lateral structural extensions, or the act of improvisation.
30초 단어
- Biological limbs used by birds and insects for flying.
- Fixed horizontal surfaces on an aircraft that provide lift.
- Side sections of a building or a theater stage.
Overview
At its core, 'wings' refers to the biological or mechanical structures designed to generate lift and enable movement through the air. In the natural world, wings vary greatly; birds have feathered wings, bats have skin-membrane wings, and insects have chitinous wings. In human engineering, wings are the primary aerodynamic surfaces of an airplane. Beyond literal flight, the word is used metaphorically and structurally to describe extensions from a central body.
Usage Patterns
The word is most frequently used in the plural form because flight typically requires a pair of symmetrical structures. However, 'wing' can be used as a verb (to wing it) meaning to improvise, or as a singular noun when referring to a specific side of a structure. It is also used in political contexts to describe factions (e.g., the 'left wing' or 'right wing').
Common Contexts
You will encounter 'wings' in biology when discussing animal anatomy, in aviation regarding plane design, and in architecture when referring to different sections of a large house or hospital (like the 'West Wing'). In theater, the 'wings' are the areas out of sight of the audience where actors wait. In culinary contexts, 'wings' specifically refers to the section of a chicken used as a popular finger food.
Similar Words Comparison
While 'fins' are used for navigation in water, 'wings' are specific to air. 'Sails' are used to catch wind but are not part of the body or vehicle's permanent lifting structure. Compared to 'flanks' or 'sides,' 'wings' implies a functional extension rather than just a lateral surface. In a metaphorical sense, 'wings' implies freedom or the ability to move upward, whereas 'roots' implies stability and staying in one place.
예시
The butterfly has beautiful patterns on its wings.
everydayA borboleta tem padrões bonitos em suas asas.
The design of the aircraft's wings is crucial for fuel efficiency.
formalO design das asas da aeronave é crucial para a eficiência de combustível.
I didn't study for the presentation, so I'll just have to wing it.
informalEu não estudei para a apresentação, então vou ter que improvisar.
The museum's east wing houses the collection of Renaissance art.
academicA ala leste do museu abriga a coleção de arte renascentista.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
take wing
levantar voo
clip someone's wings
cortar as asas de alguém (limitar sua liberdade)
on the wings of
nas asas de (levado por)
자주 혼동되는 단어
Fins are used by fish to move through water, while wings are used by birds/planes to move through air.
Feathers are the individual items that cover a bird's skin; the wing is the entire limb structure.
문법 패턴
How to Use It
사용 참고사항
In most contexts, 'wings' is a neutral term. However, the phrase 'wing it' is strictly informal and should be avoided in professional writing. When referring to buildings, 'wing' is often capitalized if it is part of a proper name, like 'The West Wing'.
자주 하는 실수
Learners often use 'wing' (singular) when they should use 'wings' (plural) to describe flight, forgetting that it usually takes two to fly. Another mistake is using 'wings' to describe the arms of a person without making it clear it is a metaphor.
Tips
Use 'under my wing' for mentoring
If you take someone 'under your wing,' it means you have decided to look after them and teach them everything you know.
Don't confuse 'wing' with 'wind'
Though related to air, 'wing' /wɪŋ/ is a physical part, while 'wind' /wɪnd/ is the movement of air itself.
Wings in American food culture
In the US, 'Buffalo wings' are a major cultural staple, especially during sporting events like the Super Bowl.
어원
Derived from the Middle English 'wenge', which comes from the Old Norse 'vængir' (plural of vængr). It has been used to describe both biological and structural extensions for centuries.
문화적 맥락
Wings are often associated with angels, deities, and the concept of divine protection in many religions. They also symbolize freedom and the human desire to transcend physical limits through aviation.
암기 팁
Think of the 'W' shape as two wings connected in the middle. Birds and planes both need two wings to stay balanced.
자주 묻는 질문
4 질문To 'wing it' is an informal expression meaning to do something without preparation or to improvise on the spot.
They are the areas on the left and right sides of the stage, hidden from the audience, where actors wait for their cues.
Yes, it describes factions of a political party, commonly referred to as the 'left wing' (liberal) or 'right wing' (conservative).
Aircraft wings are usually fixed and generate lift through speed, while bird wings flap to create both lift and thrust.
셀프 테스트
The eagle spread its ___ and took off from the mountain ledge.
The plural noun 'wings' is required here to describe the bird's appendages.
The hospital added two new wings to accommodate more patients.
In architecture, wings are lateral extensions or sections of a main building.
waiting / in / the / actors / were / the / wings
This follows the standard Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase structure.
점수: /3
Summary
Wings represent the physical means of flight, lateral structural extensions, or the act of improvisation.
- Biological limbs used by birds and insects for flying.
- Fixed horizontal surfaces on an aircraft that provide lift.
- Side sections of a building or a theater stage.
Use 'under my wing' for mentoring
If you take someone 'under your wing,' it means you have decided to look after them and teach them everything you know.
Don't confuse 'wing' with 'wind'
Though related to air, 'wing' /wɪŋ/ is a physical part, while 'wind' /wɪnd/ is the movement of air itself.
Wings in American food culture
In the US, 'Buffalo wings' are a major cultural staple, especially during sporting events like the Super Bowl.
예시
4 / 4The butterfly has beautiful patterns on its wings.
A borboleta tem padrões bonitos em suas asas.
The design of the aircraft's wings is crucial for fuel efficiency.
O design das asas da aeronave é crucial para a eficiência de combustível.
I didn't study for the presentation, so I'll just have to wing it.
Eu não estudei para a apresentação, então vou ter que improvisar.
The museum's east wing houses the collection of Renaissance art.
A ala leste do museu abriga a coleção de arte renascentista.
