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Origin of "aeroplane"
The Raven wrote:
Whilst taking a 2minute break from some mind numbing work I pondered on the origin of the word "aeroplane" and it's definition. Interesting word once you get passed the now common "plane" equals aircraft. Initially, aircraft were "flying machines" or "airships" but at some stage the word "aeroplane" was arrived at. "aero" is rather obvious, presumably "of the air". However, "plane" seems an unusual choice of word. To "plane" the air? To fly along a "plane" of air? A wing "planing" through air? If "plane" is to "planing" then it would seem logical to assume this is in reference to wings "planing the air" Can anyone point to a defining point in time when the word came into use and it's original definition/interpretation? PS. Does a Fighter plane "plane fighters"? There, now it's on topic for the group....... :-) The Raven "Plane" comes from the Greek word "planos" which means "wandering". MfG Geoff. -- A Formula One [tm](r)(c) Database is available at http://glibs.ssmmdd.co.uk/ Database will be updated after the French GP |
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"Plane" comes from the Greek word "planos" which means "wandering". MfG Geoff. Did you read that somewhere - or do you have actual experience being a Greek? Jack -- A Formula One [tm](r)(c) Database is available at http://glibs.ssmmdd.co.uk/ Database will be updated after the French GP |
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Geoff -
I just thought I'd beat Art to it... Jack "Geoff May" wrote in message ... Jack G wrote: "Plane" comes from the Greek word "planos" which means "wandering". Did you read that somewhere - or do you have actual experience being a Greek? Nope, I'm not Greek. I looked it up in my dictionary, "The New Collins Concise English Dictionary", but that was to make sure I'd got the right word. I remember looking it up at school once and needed to refresh my memory. MfG Geoff. -- A Formula One [tm](r)(c) Database is available at http://glibs.ssmmdd.co.uk/ Database will be updated after the French GP |
#5
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On Wed, 02 Jul 2003 06:51:29 +0200, Geoff May
wrote: "Plane" comes from the Greek word "planos" which means "wandering". I believe you're thinking of "planet" here. The planets were regarded as being "wanderers" because they seemed to wander in relation to the stars. Mary -- Mary Shafer Retired aerospace research engineer "Turn to kill, not to engage." LCDR Willie Driscoll, USN |
#6
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In article , The Raven
writes Whilst taking a 2minute break from some mind numbing work I pondered on the origin of the word "aeroplane" and it's definition. Interesting word once you get passed the now common "plane" equals aircraft. Initially, aircraft were "flying machines" or "airships" but at some stage the word "aeroplane" was arrived at. "aero" is rather obvious, presumably "of the air". However, "plane" seems an unusual choice of word. To "plane" the air? To fly along a "plane" of air? A wing "planing" through air? If "plane" is to "planing" then it would seem logical to assume this is in reference to wings "planing the air" Can anyone point to a defining point in time when the word came into use and it's original definition/interpretation? PS. Does a Fighter plane "plane fighters"? There, now it's on topic for the group....... :-) Here's a bunch of stuff from the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: (the numbers show the century when usage was first noted; M19 = mid 19th, etc.) aeroplane n. & v. M19. [In sense A.1 f. AERO- + PLANE; in sense A.2 f. Fr. aéroplane, f. aéro- AERO- + Gk -planos wandering.] A n. unknown 1 An aerofoil. M19-E20. 2 An aircraft that is heavier than air and has fixed (non-rotating) wings. L19. B v.i. Fly like or in an aeroplane. E20. aero- comb. form of Gk aer air. Often spec. w. ref. to aeroplanes and aviation. plane E17. [L planum flat surface, use as n. of neut. of planus PLAIN, introduced in 17 as refash. of PLAIN to express the geometrical and allied uses (cf. Fr. plan which similarly replaced plain).] c A relatively thin, flat or slightly curved, usu. movable structure used to produce an upwards, downwards, or occas. lateral force by the flow of the surrounding air or water over its surface; an aerofoil, a hydrofoil; spec. a hydroplane on a submarine. Cf. AEROPLANE E19. HTH -- Peter Ying tong iddle-i po! |
#7
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"The Raven" wrote in message ... Whilst taking a 2minute break from some mind numbing work I pondered on the origin of the word "aeroplane" and it's definition. Interesting word once you get passed the now common "plane" equals aircraft. Initially, aircraft were "flying machines" or "airships" but at some stage the word "aeroplane" was arrived at. "aero" is rather obvious, presumably "of the air". However, "plane" seems an unusual choice of word. To "plane" the air? To fly along a "plane" of air? A wing "planing" through air? If "plane" is to "planing" then it would seem logical to assume this is in reference to wings "planing the air" Can anyone point to a defining point in time when the word came into use and it's original definition/interpretation? PS. Does a Fighter plane "plane fighters"? There, now it's on topic for the group....... :-) The Raven I wonder what the Wright brothers called their machine? Stupot |
#8
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Stuart Chapman wrote:
I wonder what the Wright brothers called their machine? The Wright "Flyer"? -- Andrew Chaplin SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO (If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.) |
#9
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"aero" is rather obvious, presumably "of the air". However, "plane" seems an unusual choice of word. To "plane" the air? To fly along a "plane" of air? A wing "planing" through air? Since the usage is British (and I think "aeroplane" precedes "airplane") I turn to the Shorter Oxford, which sez: middle 19th century (!) from the French (we will have to call it a Freedom Craft, I suppose) in which language aero means aero and plane is from the Greek planos = wandering all the best -- Dan Ford (email: info AT danford.net) see the Warbird's Forum at http://www.danford.net/index.htm Vietnam | Flying Tigers | Pacific War | Brewster Buffalo | Piper Cub |
#10
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On Wed, 02 Jul 2003 07:15:11 +0200, Geoff May
wrote: Interesting. Slightly different from my dictionary. I do concede that my dictionary may be in error, though. Personally, I thought it came from the Greek word but I am not 100% certain of that. You can be certain. The folks at Oxford University Press agree with you, and OUP is God. The Shorter Oxford for meanings and derivations. Webster's Collegiate for pronunciation, American usage, and the meaning of new words until the next SOED comes out in about ten years all the best -- Dan Ford (email: info AT danford.net) see the Warbird's Forum at http://www.danford.net/index.htm Vietnam | Flying Tigers | Pacific War | Brewster Buffalo | Piper Cub |
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