| 释义 |
ˈair-line
1. [air- II.]
a. A direct line through the air, a bee-line. Chiefly U.S.
1813J. Quincy in Deb. Congress 1 Jan. 544 They will not rigidly observe any air-lines or water-lines in enforcing their necessary levies. 1829J. F. Cooper Wish-ton-wish ii. 27 This clearing, which by an air line might have been half a mile from the place where his horse had stopped. 1852Grote Greece IX. ii. lxx. 160 If we measure on Kiepert's map the rectilineal distance, the air-line is 170 English miles. 1904Chicago Tribune 1 Aug. 4 The judge held that distance was to be measured by air line or ‘as the crow flies’, not as the main traveled road leads. 1919Sphere 22 Mar. 254/2 Flying routes will soon show a tendency to become fixed, just as birds fly along ‘air lines’ from point to point.
attrib.1863Congress. Globe Feb. 813/1 This is a proposition to construct an air-line railroad between Washington and New York. 1895Outing Dec. 214/2 Pursuing an even air-line route across the roughest country.
b. In nonce attrib. use: Sent through the air.
The reference is to letters dropping through the air as a theosophical manifestation in India.
1888Kipling In Black & White 66 The Religion never seemed to get much beyond its first manifestations; though it added an air-line postal dak, and orchestral effects.
2. [air- III.] A line of aircraft for public service.
1914Argus (Melbourne) 16 July 13 The Defence flying school at Point Cook has been inaccessible..except by air line. 1937Discovery May 163/2 Few people realise how vast is the network of air lines which now links up the United States with Central and South America. 1956Times 2 Feb. 5/1 Work will begin this month on the..platform above District Line railway tracks close to Cromwell Road, Earls Court, for future use as London's main air line terminal. 1958[see air- III. 8].
3. A pipe or tube containing or (esp.) conducting air under pressure.
1910Compressed Air Mag. Apr. 5622/2 At the end of the stroke the piston trips the tappet in the auxiliary air-line, causing the main valve to close. 1930R. Peele Compressed Air Plant (ed. 5) xv. 273 Air lines are tested from time to time by allowing the air at full pressure to remain in the closed transmission circuit long enough to observe the gage pressure. 1954Compressed Air Handbk. (Compressed Air & Gas Inst.) (ed. 2) iv. 15 If an aftercooler is not employed, [when hot air is being emitted from a compressor] some of the trouble experienced with water in air lines can be overcome if small air receivers are put in the lines at frequent intervals to act as collecting tanks. 1971Daily Tel. (Colour Suppl.) 12 Nov. 22/4 Any big truck lives and dies, steers and brakes, on its air-lines. 1977Drive Jan.–Feb. 113/1 When motorists can be prosecuted for having incorrect tyre pressures, they have a right to expect airlines to be in as good working order as petrol pumps.
▸ airline steward n. = air steward n. at air n.1 Compounds 2.
1937Chicago Daily Tribune 21 July 4/3 An *air line steward spilled scalding tea on his 2 year old daughter. 1988R. Shilts Band played On iii. viii. 79 Gaetan cajoled an airline steward friend to go with him to St. Vincent's to visit an old trick.
▸ airline stewardess n. = air stewardess n. at air n.1 Compounds 2.
1933Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) 2 Sept. 1/6 (caption) Serum..for victims of ‘sleeping sickness’ is handed to Alberta Stevens, *airline stewardess. 1990R. Bork Tempting of Amer. 331 When he flew he learned that airline stewardesses were afraid of me. |