yaw

¹

[ yaw ]

verb (used without object)

1. to deviate temporarily from a straight course, as a ship.
2. (of an aircraft) to have a motion about its vertical axis.
3. (of a rocket or guided missile) to deviate from a stable flight attitude by oscillation of the longitudinal axis in the horizontal plane.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to yaw.

noun

1. a movement of deviation from a direct course, as of a ship.
2. a motion of an aircraft about its vertical axis.
3. an angle, to the right or left, determined by the direction of motion of an aircraft or spacecraft and its vertical and longitudinal plane of symmetry.
4. (of a rocket or guided missile)
   1. the act of yawing.
   2. the angular displacement of the longitudinal axis due to yawing.

yaw

²

[ yaw ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. one of the lesions of yaws.

yaw

/ jɔː /

verb

1. intr (of an aircraft, missile, etc) to turn about its vertical axis Compare pitch 1 roll
2. intr (of a ship, etc) to deviate temporarily from a straight course
3. tr to cause (an aircraft, ship, etc) to yaw

noun

1. the angular movement of an aircraft, missile, etc, about its vertical axis
2. the deviation of a vessel from a straight course

Word History and Origins

Origin of yaw¹

First recorded in 1540–50; origin uncertain

Origin of yaw²

First recorded in 1735–45; back formation from yaws

Word History and Origins

Origin of yaw¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Ever after when I passed by his house, some of the children would point to me and say, ‘Yaw killed aur guise.’

From Project Gutenberg

Take a Swede or a Dutchman: it's yaw yaw with them to the end of their time.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chins in the valley of the Yaw and its tributaries were raiders.

From Project Gutenberg

Yaw—To swerve from side to side as a vessel does when running free.

From Project Gutenberg

For when the printing presses are united the planet may buck and yaw, but she comes into line at last.

From Project Gutenberg