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a-flying

Adjective
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An adjective meaning moving swiftly through the air or rushing along as if flying, often creating an energetic image of speed and freedom.

Detailed Definition
This is an older poetic form with a prefixed a- used for emphasis or rhythm. Herrick uses it to make Time seem swift and unstoppable.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Old Time is still a-flying” uses a- before a participle for ongoing action; “The swallows are a-flying south” echoes folk-song diction; “I found the leaves a-turning in the rain” gives a gradual, vivid motion; A contemporary poet may revive it playfully: “My thoughts went a-flying through the feed”
Additional Notes
The hyphenated form a-flying is an archaic poetic construction that modern readers may not recognize at first glance.; Found in the poem, To the Virgins, to make much of Time by Robert Herrick
Also Known As
in flight soaring aloft airborne
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