ornithopter

[ awr-nuh-thop-ter ]

noun

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

ornithopter

/ ˈɔːnɪˌθɒptə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornithopter¹

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

Example Sentences

Have a knowledge of the theory of the aeroplane, helicopter, and ornithopter, and of the spherical and dirigible balloon.

From Project Gutenberg

This experiment remains as the greatest success yet achieved by any machine constructed on the ornithopter principle.

From Project Gutenberg

The four wings of the semi-ornithopter blurred with motion, lifting the craft into the sky.

From Project Gutenberg

Red clover bent and writhed in the artificial wind from the ornithopter wings.

From Project Gutenberg

Ornithopter (or Orthopter)—A flapping wing design of aircraft intended to imitate the flight of a bird.

From Project Gutenberg