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. Also called: orthopter. a heavier-than-air craft sustained in and propelled through the air by flapping wings

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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