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Hydroplane Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿšค
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hydroplane

[หˆhaษชdroสŠpleษชn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

aircraft, water

A hydroplane is a type of aircraft designed to take off, land, and fly over water. They are often used for water-based activities, including recreation and transportation. Hydroplanes can also refer to racing boats that skim the surface of the water.

Synonyms

hydrofoil, seaplane, waterplane.

Examples of usage

  • The hydroplane flew smoothly over the lake.
  • During the race, the hydroplane reached incredible speeds on water.
  • He piloted a hydroplane during the summer vacation.
Context #2 | Verb

surface, glide

To hydroplane means to glide over a surface of water, typically when a vehicle loses traction and skims on water rather than maintaining contact with the ground. This can occur with cars or boats during high speeds.

Synonyms

glide, skid.

Examples of usage

  • The car began to hydroplane on the wet road.
  • He learned how to avoid hydroplaning in his driver's education class.
  • The boat hydroplaned across the waves effortlessly.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the tires of a vehicle and the road, resulting in a loss of traction.
  • At speeds above 30 mph, tires can lose contact and cause drivers to lose control if the road is wet.
  • Wide tires with shallow grooves can increase the chances of hydroplaning during rainy conditions.

Transportation

  • Hydroplane technology is used in both cars and boats, maximizing speed and efficiency on water.
  • In the aviation world, 'hydroplanes' refer to specific aircraft designed for takeoff and landing on water.

Pop Culture

  • Hydroplane racing is an exciting motorsport where specially designed boats compete on the water, often reaching speeds over 200 mph.
  • Films and video games often feature dramatic hydroplaning scenes as a thrilling action element.

Safety

  • Hydroplaning is a major cause of accidents during rainy weather, emphasizing the importance of slow driving on wet roads.
  • Education about vehicle control and braking techniques can help reduce the risk of accidents caused by hydroplaning.

Origin of 'hydroplane'

Main points about word origin

  • Derived from the Greek 'hydro,' meaning water, and 'plane,' referring to a flat surface.
  • First used in English around the 1920s as automobiles began to travel at higher speeds.

The term 'hydroplane' has its origins in the early 20th century, combining the Greek word 'hydro', meaning water, with the Latin 'planus', meaning flat or level. Initially, the term was used to describe boats that would skim over water due to their design, enabling them to travel faster than conventional vessels. As aviation technology developed, the word was adopted to describe specific types of aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. The progression from the marine use of the term to its application in aviation reflects the evolution of transportation technology and the continuous search for efficiency and speed in both water and air travel.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,485, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.