| 释义 |
ornithopter Aeronaut.|ˈɔːnɪθɒptə(r), ɔːnɪˈθɒptə(r)|
Also † -ptere.
[ad. F. ornithoptère (P. Renard 1908, in L'Aérophile 15 Jan. 35), coined to replace orthoptère (orthopter 2) because of the latter's etymological inappropriateness and its entomological meaning; see ornitho-.]
A machine designed to achieve flight by means of flapping wings.
1908Aeronautics I. 86/1 Ornithoptere denotes a machine in which the means of sustentation and propulsion consist of beating-wings. 1909Flight I. 99/2 There are many who watch most anxiously for the success of artificial flapping flight by the aid of machines which have been variously named ‘orthopters’ and ‘ornithopters’. 1933Jrnl. R. Aeronaut. Soc. XXXVII. 205 This gentleman..produced a machine of the ornithopter type for military observation. 1957Listener 19 Dec. 1021/2 Where the aeroplane was concerned, Leonardo gave most of his attention almost obsessionally to the flapping wing ornithopter. 1960Observer 17 Apr. 17/1 A Tass announcement said that the ornithopter—apparently powered by a motor-cycle engine—was flown ‘for several yards’ in Moscow. 1973Nature 16 Nov. 173/3 A book largely concerned with a theoretical synthesis of man-powered ornithopters. 1976Globe & Mail (Toronto) 4 Aug. 2/6 Mr. Newell, 64, has built five of his airplanes, called ornithopters, in the past 12 years. |