also: かたつばさ · へんよく
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
one wing; single wing
Refers to a single wing of a bird, aircraft, or metaphorical entity. Often used in contexts of asymmetry or incompleteness, such as a bird with only one wing or an aircraft missing a wing.
See also: 一翼 (いちよく)
The bird had injured one wing.
A single-winged airplane made an emergency landing.
片翼 simply and literally means 'one wing' (of a pair), while 一翼 additionally carries the figurative sense of a role or share in a larger effort.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading かたよく is the most common.
Rare alternate reading using kun'yomi for both characters.
Rare alternate reading using on'yomi for both characters.
Compound of 片 (kata, 'one side') + 翼 (yoku, 'wing'). The reading かたよく is the standard combination of kun'yomi and on'yomi. Alternate readings かたつばさ and へんよく are less common.