windage

American  

[win-dij] / ˈwɪn dɪdʒ /

noun

1. the influence of the wind in deflecting a missile.

2. the amount of such deflection.

3. the degree to which a gunsight must be adjusted to correct for windage.

4. a difference between the diameter of a projectile and that of the gun bore, for the escape of gas and the prevention of friction.

5. Nautical. that portion of a vessel's surface upon which the wind acts.

6. Machinery. friction between a rotor and the air within its casing, as in an electric generator.

7. Electricity. the resisting influence of air against the rotating armature of a dynamo, creating a power loss.

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windage British  

/ ˈwɪndɪdʒ /

noun

1. 1. a deflection of a projectile as a result of the effect of the wind

   2. the degree of such deflection

   3. the extent to which it is necessary to adjust the wind gauge of a gun sight in order to compensate for such deflection

2. the difference between a firearm's bore and the diameter of its projectile

3. nautical the exposed part of the hull of a vessel responsible for wind resistance

4. the retarding force upon a rotating machine resulting from the drag of the air

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Etymology

Origin of windage

First recorded in 1700–10; wind ¹ + -age

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

windage

“It’s more windage from an aerodynamic perspective, and also we had two great helmsmen, two great match racers. It was almost obvious that we did that.”

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2021

And people who have brilliant old-fashioned skills, such as casting bronze, and know about things such as "windage".

From The Guardian ● Feb. 25, 2013

The 26 slow-trolls into the wind with little ill-effect or foul windage, and kept the spray down on any tack.

From Time Magazine Archive

There's also a lot less windage, so less rolling in a blow.

From Time Magazine Archive

Formerly used, and as late as 1816 by the Turks, to convey the powder into the chamber without using cartridges: also used to withdraw shot where windage was large.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir