ornithoptern.
/ˈɔːnᵻθɒptə/, /ˌɔːnᵻˈθɒptə/, U.S. /ˈɔrnəθɑptər/ Aeronautics.
A machine designed to fly by means of artificial flapping wings. Cf. earlier orthopter n.1
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society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > [noun] > an aircraft > aircraft propelled by flapping wings
orthopter1868
ornithopter1908
1908 Aeronautics 1 86/1 Ornithoptere denotes a machine in which the means of sustentation and propulsion consist of beating-wings.
1909 Flight 1 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’.
1933 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 37 205 This gentleman..produced a machine of the ornithopter type for military observation.
1957 Listener 19 Dec. 1021/2 Where the aeroplane was concerned, Leonardo gave most of his attention almost obsessionally to the flapping wing ornithopter.
1976 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 4 Aug. 2/6 Mr. Newell..has built five of his airplanes, called ornithopters, in the past 12 years.
2001 New Scientist 7 July 37/2 If she gets airborne, she'll have to contend with an unusual ride quality, as the ornithopter bucks up and down.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1908