n. 机翼, 方向舱

[ noun ]
a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight
<noun.artifact>

aeroplane \aer"*o*plane`\ aeroplane \a"["e]r*o*plane`\, n.
[a["e]ro- + plane.] (A["e]ronautics)
1. A light rigid plane used in a["e]rial navigation to oppose
sudden upward or downward movement in the air, as in
gliding machines; specif., such a plane slightly inclined
and driven forward as a lifting device in some flying
machines. Also called {airfoil}.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. hence, a heavier-than-air flying machine using such a
device to provide lift. In a modern aeroplane, the
airfoils are called the {wings}, and most of the lift is
derived from these surfaces. In contrast to helicopters,
the wings are fixed to the passenger compartment
(airframe) and do not move relative to the frame; thus
such a machine is called a {fixed-wing aircraft}. These
machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or
quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting
planes (wings) used in their construction. After 1940 few
planes with more than one airfoil were constructed, and
these are used by hobbyists or for special purposes. Being
heavier than air they depend for their levitation on
motion imparted by the thrust from either propellers
driven by an engine, or, in a jet plane, by the reaction
from a high-velocity stream of gases expelled rearward
from a jet engine. They start from the ground by a run on
small wheels or runners, and are guided by a steering
apparatus consisting of horizontal and vertical movable
planes, which usually form part of the wings or tail.
There are many varieties of form and construction, which
in some cases are known by the names of their inventors.
In U.S., an aeroplane is usually called an {airplane} or
{plane}.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]


airfoil \air"foil`\ n.
1. 1 a surface such as the wing of an airplane designed to
provide reactive force when in motion relative to the
surrounding air.

Syn: aerofoil
[WordNet 1.5]