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 Zool., 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) Zool. 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) Zool. 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.
© Webster 1913.