Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

vertical stabilizer

 - 3 dictionary results

vertical stabilizer

–noun Aeronautics.
the fixed vertical surface of an aircraft empennage, to which the rudder is hinged.
Also called fin, vertical fin.

fin

1[fin] noun, verb, finned, fin⋅ning.
–noun
1. a membranous, winglike or paddlelike organ attached to any of various parts of the body of fishes and certain other aquatic animals, used for propulsion, steering, or balancing.
2. Nautical.
a. a horizontal, often adjustable, winglike appendage to the underwater portion of a hull, as one for controlling the dive of a submarine or for damping the roll of a surface vessel.
b. fin keel.
3. Also called vertical stabilizer. Aeronautics. any of certain small, subsidiary structures on an aircraft, designed to increase directional stability.
4. any of a number of standing ridges on an ordinarily hot object, as a radiator, a cylinder of an internal-combustion engine, etc., intended to maximize heat transfer to the surrounding air by exposing a large surface area.
5. any part, as of a mechanism, resembling a fin.
6. Metallurgy. a ridge of metal squeezed through the opening between two rolls, dies, or halves of a mold in which a piece is being formed under pressure. Compare flash (def. 11).
7. Automotive. an ornamental structure resembling an aeronautical fin that is attached to the body of an automobile, as on each rear fender (tail fin).
8. Slang. the arm or hand.
9. Usually, fins. flipper (def. 2).
–verb (used with object)
10. to cut off the fins from (a fish); carve or cut up, as a chub.
11. to provide or equip with a fin or fins.
–verb (used without object)
12. to move the fins; lash the water with the fins, as a whale when dying.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME, OE finn; c. D vin, LG finne; akin to Sw fena


finless, adjective
finlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vertical stabilizer
Science Dictionary
fin   (fĭn)  Pronunciation Key 
One of the winglike or paddlelike parts of a fish, dolphin, or whale that are used for propelling, steering, and balancing in water.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see vertical stabilizer on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: