empennage

[ ahm-puh-nahzh, em-; French ahn-pe-nazh ]

noun

, plural em·pen·nag·es [ahm-p, uh, -, nah, -zhiz, em-, ah, n, -pe-, nazh].

1. the rear part of an airplane or airship, usually comprising the stabilizer, elevator, vertical fin, and rudder.

empennage

/ ɑ̃pɛnaʒ; ɛmˈpɛnɪdʒ /

noun

1. the rear part of an aircraft, comprising the fin, rudder, and tailplane

Word History and Origins

Origin of empennage¹

1905–10; < French: literally, feathering, equivalent to empenn ( er ) to feather an arrow ( em- em- ¹ + -penner, derivative of penne feather; pen ¹ ) + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of empennage¹

C20: from French: feathering, from empenner to feather an arrow, from penne feather, from Latin pinna

Example Sentences

The loose end of his leggin was caught in the wires of the empennage.

From Project Gutenberg

Bill gave him a lift and Breene was soon sitting on the empennage almost entirely out of the water.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• back end
• rear
• rudder