windage

[win-dij]

noun

the influence of the wind in deflecting a missile.

the amount of such deflection.

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

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

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

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

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

Nearby words

Origin of windage

First recorded in 1700–10; wind¹ + -age

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for windage

The reason of this is, that the windage of an anchored vessel is a comparatively small surface, so long as she lies head-on.
On Yachts and Yacht Handling|Thomas Fleming Day
With lightning rapidity the trains passed each other and the "windage," to use a nautical term, nearly took my breath.
Sawdust & Spangles|W. C. Coup
I have to make allowance for his folly,—a sort of windage, which is not dishonest.
Mr. Scarborough's Family|Anthony Trollope
Sight setting therefore in this exercise should include, more often than not, "fractional ranges" and windage data.
Manual of Military Training|James A. Moss

Windage—as used here, the difference between the diameter of the shot and the diameter of the bore.
Artillery Through the Ages|Albert Manucy

British Dictionary definitions for windage

windage

noun

a deflection of a projectile as a result of the effect of the wind
the degree of such deflection
the extent to which it is necessary to adjust the wind gauge of a gun sight in order to compensate for such deflection

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

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

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

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