dive brake

American  

noun

Aeronautics.

1. a flap deployed from the wings or fuselage of an aircraft, as a dive bomber or sailplane, that increases drag to permit a relatively steep angle of descent without a dangerous buildup in speed.

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dive brake British  

noun

1. a flap or spoiler extended from the wings of a ground-attack aircraft for controlling a dive

2. another name for air brake

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Etymology

Origin of dive brake

First recorded in 1935–40