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aileron
noun
Examples of aileron in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aileron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
borrowed from French, "tip of a bird's wing, fin, aileron of an airplane," going back to Middle French aleron "tip of a bird's wing," from aelle, aile "wing" (going back to Old French ele, going back to Latin āla) + -eron, diminutive suffix, probably from -ier -er entry 2 + -on, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -ōn-, -ō, suffix of nouns denoting persons with a prominent characteristic (from construal of nouns such as quarteron "a quarter-pound weight" —from quartier "quarter" + -on, diminutive suffix— as if formed from quart "quarter" + -eron) — more at ala
Note: The first print occurrence of aileron in reference to an airfoil used to control roll was probably in the French aeronautics journal L'Aérophile, 16e année, no. 13 (1 juillet 1908), p. 255. The aeronautics journalist Auguste Nicolleau used the word in a description of Louis Blériot's latest airplane, the Blériot VIII. Curiously, a different journalist in the same issue uses aileron for the elevators ("gouvernails de profondeur") of the dirigible République.
1909, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing aileron
Dictionary Entries Near aileron
Cite this Entry
“Aileron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aileron. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
aileron
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on aileron
Nglish: Translation of aileron for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aileron
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