Recent Examples on the WebMeanwhile, Aciturri—also based in Spain—will design and develop Overture’s empennage, or tail structure.—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 June 2023 This meant that guides had to be added to the empennage to prevent damage to the vertical and horizontal tail surfaces.—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Oct. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'empennage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French, feathers of an arrow, empennage, from empenner to feather an arrow, from em-en- entry 1 + penne feather, from Middle French — more at pen
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