autogiro

American  

[aw-tuh-jahy-roh] / ˌɔ təˈdʒaɪ roʊ /

Or autogyro

noun

plural

autogiros

1. an aircraft with an unpowered, horizontally rotating propeller on a shaft above the fuselage that provides lift for the machine, with forward propulsion being provided by a conventional propeller: superseded in most applications by the helicopter.

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autogiro British  

/ ˌɔːtəʊˈdʒaɪrəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: gyroplane.  a self-propelled aircraft supported in flight mainly by unpowered rotating horizontal blades Compare helicopter

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Etymology

Origin of autogiro

First recorded in 1920–25; formerly a trademark

Example Sentences

Stuffed with sumo wrestling; trap doors; an autogiro equipped with flamethrowers and missiles; a piranha pool; and, of course, a rocket base hidden inside a volcano, “You Only Live Twice” wasn’t exactly an actor’s breakthrough.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2020

In fuselage, tail structure, landing gear and propelling motor the autogiro is a typical airplane.

From Time Magazine Archive

City officials first gave the park a thorough DDT spraying by autogiro, then counted the survivors.

From Time Magazine Archive

Engine failure by itself is not too serious, since a helicopter with a dead rotor acts like an autogiro and windmills down to earth.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Bureau of Air Commerce showed its Pitcairn readable autogiro.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• chopper