hydro-ski

[ hahy-droh-skee ]

noun

, plural hy·dro-skis.

1. a hydrofoil attached to a seaplane to aid in takeoffs and landings.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydro-ski¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

And the hydro-ski, a beefed-up version of the sportsman's waterski, has given the seaplane the biggest boost of all.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mounted on a strut below a conventional seaplane hull, the short hydro-ski knifes to the surface and supports the plane's weight even at low speeds.

From Time Magazine Archive

In landings, the hydro-ski takes up the first shock, lowers the hull gently to the water, and, as an added advantage, allows the plane to operate in rough seas.

From Time Magazine Archive

Once in the air, the hydro-ski can be retracted.

From Time Magazine Archive

In other experiments, the hydro-ski has been mounted beneath the fuselage of a sleek new fighter with no flotation gear at all.

From Time Magazine Archive