air-line

[ air-lahyn ]

adjective

1. straight; direct; traveling a direct route:

   Some railroads advertise air-line routes between stations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of air-line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

Confident in his keenness of vision and in his familiarity with sea ice, he took the shorter air-line route, though its rough rubble-ice and shattered hummock-masses were sure to make greater demands on his physical strength and to require vigilance to avoid accidents.

From Project Gutenberg

Tupelo is about forty miles south of Rienzi, on an air-line.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not to be confused with Gordiou-kome, refounded as Juliopolis, a Bithynian town on a small tributary of the Sangarius, about 47 m. in an air-line N.W. of Gordium.

From Project Gutenberg

A second branched off from South Corinth, and leading in almost an air-line to Orange, passed near the western edge of Round Lake.

From Project Gutenberg

Three trails led southward from Jessup's Landing,—one in almost an air-line to Kinaquariones.

From Project Gutenberg