ornithopter

American  

[awr-nuh-thop-ter] / ˌɔr nəˈθɒp tər /

noun

1. a heavier-than-air craft designed to be propelled through the air by flapping wings.

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ornithopter British  

/ ˈɔːnɪˌθɒptə /

noun

1. Also called: orthopter.  a heavier-than-air craft sustained in and propelled through the air by flapping wings

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Etymology

Origin of ornithopter

< French ornithoptère (1908), equivalent to ornitho- ornitho- + -ptère < Greek -pteros -pterous

Example Sentences

The Times published a helpful aviation glossary of terms: lateral stability, ornithopter, gliding speed, wing warping.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2023

There are a handful of other Dune-themed items you can pick up as well, including an ornithopter glider and a Sand Walk emote that mimics how the characters walk to avoid detection by gigantic sandworms.

From The Verge • Oct. 19, 2021

Even Leonardo da Vinci had labored on an inventive flying machine — his bird-like "ornithopter."

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2015

Bob Kane, creator of Batman, found three things coming together to create the character in his mind: Zorro, Leonardo da Vinci’s ornithopter, and the film version of The Bat.

From Scientific American • May 2, 2013

I put the ornithopter on the foot of the bed, but I don't think he notices.

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick