volplane

[ vol-pleyn ]

verb (used without object),vol·planed, vol·plan·ing.
  1. to glide toward the earth in an airplane, with no motor power or with the power shut off.

noun
  1. a glide in an airplane.

Origin of volplane

1
1905–10; <French vol plané glided flight, equivalent to vol flight (noun derivative of voler<Latin volāre to fly) + plané, past participle of planer to glide (see plane1)

Other words from volplane

  • volplanist, noun

Words Nearby volplane

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use volplane in a sentence

  • Andy attempted some volplane skits that were fairly hair-raising.

    Airship Andy | Frank V. Webster
  • When they had mounted to a considerable height, Alfred shut off the engines and allowed her to volplane toward the sea.

  • Would it last until the storm had passed, or would they be obliged to volplane down into that seething tempest?

  • The volplane was so steep that it seemed that nothing could prevent the monoplane from being dashed to bits upon the earth.

    The Dreadnought of the Air | Percy F. Westerman
  • At any rate, his engine was going perfectly, so he was not required to attempt a difficult volplane with a dead engine.

    Battling the Clouds | Captain Frank Cobb