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

It allows children aged 6-14 to assemble structures with wooden slats, explore homemade “ornithopters” and try writing in reverse on mounted chalkboards.

From Washington Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Imagine sand as far as the eye can see, massive sandworms and spaceships that look like levitating office buildings, as well as something called ornithopters, which are a cross between helicopters and dragon flies.

From Washington Post

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

I have that old ornithopter bird with me and I'm winding it up and flying it around.

From Literature