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!