Wing

(wing.) (From A. S. gehwing.] That limb of a bird by which it performs the function of aërial locomotion. It is covered with feathers and admirably constructed. Its different bones are bound together, and connected with the bones of the body by strong ligaments; and the muscles by which motion is communicated to them are the most powerful with which a bird is provided. The wings of insects are highly varied, often very beautiful, and so important that their different characteristics give rise to the division of insects into Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Neuroptera, . (See these terms.)-(Bot.) Same as ALA, q. v. -(Arch.) A side building le than the main edifice.-(Mil.) The wings are the two flanks or extremes of an army, ranged in order of battle. [s. 964]