plane
1[ pleyn ]
/ pleɪn /
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noun
adjective
flat or level, as a surface.
of or relating to planes or plane figures.
verb (used without object), planed, plan·ing.
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Origin of plane
1First recorded in 1400–50 (for def. 9) (in the sense “to soar”); 1640–50 for noun and adjective senses; (noun) from Latin plānum “flat surface” (noun use of plānus “flat”); (adjective) from Latin plānus; first used to distinguish the geometrical senses formerly belonging to plain1; (in def. 5), shortened form of airplane, aeroplane, or hydroplane; (verb) late Middle English planen “(of a bird) to soar” (compare Middle French planer ); akin to plain1
OTHER WORDS FROM plane
planeness, nounDefinition for plane (2 of 3)
plane2
[ pleyn ]
/ pleɪn /
noun
Carpentry. any of various woodworking instruments for paring, truing, or smoothing, or for forming moldings, chamfers, rabbets, grooves, etc., by means of an inclined, adjustable blade moved along and against the piece being worked.
a trowellike tool for smoothing the surface of clay in a brick mold.
verb (used with object), planed, plan·ing.
to smooth or dress with or as if with a plane or a planer.
to remove by or as if by means of a plane (usually followed by away or off).
verb (used without object), planed, plan·ing.
to work with a plane.
to function as a plane.
Origin of plane
2First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English noun plane, plaine, pleine, from Middle French plan(n)e, Old French plaine, plane or directly from Late Latin plāna “plane, adz,” derivative of plānāre “to smooth,” itself derivative of Latin plānus plain1; Middle English verb plane(n), plaine, pleine, from Middle French planer or directly from Late Latin plānāre
Definition for plane (3 of 3)
Origin of plane
3First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English plane, plaine, from Middle French plane, Old French pleine, plane, from Latin platanus, from Greek plátanos, derivative of platýs “wide, broad, flat” (with reference to the leaves)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for plane
British Dictionary definitions for plane (1 of 3)
plane1
/ (pleɪn) /
noun
adjective
level or flat
maths (of a curve, figure, etc) lying entirely in one plane
verb (intr)
Derived forms of plane
planeness, nounWord Origin for plane
C17: from Latin plānum level surface
British Dictionary definitions for plane (2 of 3)
plane2
/ (pleɪn) /
noun
a tool with an adjustable sharpened steel blade set obliquely in a wooden or iron body, for levelling or smoothing timber surfaces, cutting mouldings or grooves, etc
a flat tool, usually metal, for smoothing the surface of clay or plaster in a mould
verb (tr)
to level, smooth, or cut (timber, wooden articles, etc) using a plane or similar tool
(often foll by off) to remove using a plane
Word Origin for plane
C14: via Old French from Late Latin plāna plane, from plānāre to level
British Dictionary definitions for plane (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for plane
plane
[ plān ]
n.
A surface containing all the straight lines that connect any two points on it.
A flat or level surface.
An imaginary surface formed by extension through any axis of the body or through two definite points on the body.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for plane
plane
[ plān ]
Noun
A two-dimensional surface, any two of whose points can be joined by a straight line that lies entirely in the surface.
Adjective
Lying in a plane:a plane curve.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for plane
plane
A geometrical location having only two dimensions — length and width (no height). (See coordinates and plane geometry.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.