Fullfledged

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Completely developed and possessing all essential attributes, this state signifies full qualification and recognition in a specific capacity or function
2. Having reached a state of complete growth or development and fully authorized or recognized in a particular role
3. Describing someone or something that is entirely mature and equipped with all necessary qualities or rights

Etymology: "Fullfledged" is simply the closed-up spelling of "full-fledged," and its history is plain: it is a compound of "full" and "fledged." The second part is the older one. "Fledged" comes from "fledge," a verb meaning to grow the feathers needed for flight, so a bird that is fledged has reached the stage where it can leave the nest. "Full" adds the sense of complete. Put together, the phrase describes something that has developed every part it needs and is ready to function on its own. The figurative use grew naturally from that picture of a bird ready to fly. Someone called "full-fledged" has moved past apprenticeship or early stages into complete standing, as in a full-fledged member of a club or a full-fledged expert. The hyphen is optional in modern usage, and both spellings are accepted.

Synonyms: fully developed, mature, complete

Antonyms: incomplete, unqualified