Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Walking?

\Walk"ing\, a. & n. from {Walk}, v. {Walking beam}. See {Beam}, 10. {Walking crane}, a kind of traveling crane. See under {Crane}. {Walking fern}. (Bot.) See {Walking leaf}, below. {Walking fish} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of Asiatic fishes of the genus {Ophiocephalus}, some of which, as {O. marulius}, become over four feet long. They have a special cavity over the gills lined with a membrane adapted to retain moisture to aid in respiration, and are thus able to travel considerable distances over the land at night, whence the name. They construct a curious nest for their young. Called also {langya}. {Walking gentleman} (Theater), an actor who usually fills subordinate parts which require a gentlemanly appearance but few words. [Cant] {Walking lady} (Theater), an actress who usually fills such parts as require only a ladylike appearance on the stage. [Cant] {Walking leaf}. (a) (Bot.) A little American fern ({Camptosorus rhizophyllus}); -- so called because the fronds taper into slender prolongations which often root at the apex, thus producing new plants. (b) (Zo["o]l.) A leaf insect. See under {Leaf}. {Walking papers}, or {Walking ticket}, an order to leave; dismissal, as from office. [Colloq.] --Bartlett. {Walking stick}. (a) A stick or staff carried in the hand for hand for support or amusement when walking; a cane. (b) (Zo["o]l.) A stick insect; -- called also {walking straw}. See Illust. of {Stick insect}, under {Stick}. {Walking wheel} (Mach.), a prime mover consisting of a wheel driven by the weight of men or animals walking either in it or on it; a treadwheel.