airfoil

American  

[air-foil] / ˈɛərˌfɔɪl /

noun

Aeronautics.

1. any surface, as a wing, aileron, or stabilizer, designed to aid in lifting or controlling an aircraft by making use of the air currents through which it moves.

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airfoil British  

/ ˈɛəˌfɔɪl /

noun

1. Also called: aerofoil.  a cross section of an aileron, wing, tailplane, or rotor blade

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airfoil Scientific  

/ âr′foil′ /

1. A structure having a shape that provides lift, propulsion, stability, or directional control in a flying object. An aircraft wing provides lift by causing air to pass at a higher speed over the wing than below it, resulting in greater pressure below than above. Propellers are airfoils that are spun rapidly to provide propulsion.

2. See more at Bernoulli effect See Note at aerodynamics

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Etymology

Origin of airfoil

First recorded in 1920–25; air ¹ + foil ²