Volant: meaning, definitions and examples

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volant

 

[ หˆvoสŠlษ™nt ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

movement, flight

Volant describes something that is able to fly or move quickly through the air. It is often used in a poetic or literary context to convey gracefulness in motion.

Synonyms

fluttering, flying, soaring.

Examples of usage

  • The volant bird soared through the sky.
  • Her volant movements on the dance floor captivated the audience.
  • They enjoyed watching the volant kites dance in the wind.
Context #2 | Noun

flying creature

As a noun, volant refers to a flying creature or an object designed for flight. This usage emphasizes the ability to take to the skies.

Synonyms

flier, flyer, migrator.

Examples of usage

  • The volant of the forest, the owl, hunts silently.
  • Kites are volant structures that delight children at the park.
  • They studied the volant species of butterflies in the region.

Etymology

The word 'volant' traces its etymological roots back to the Latin term 'volans', which is the present participle of 'volare', meaning 'to fly'. This Latin origin reflects the word's association with flight and the ability to move through the air. The English usage of 'volant' began to emerge in the early 15th century, typically in literary and poetic contexts, where it described not just the act of flying, but also the elegance and grace associated with flight. It is often employed in descriptions of birds, aircraft, and other flying entities, cultivating a sense of wonder and beauty. Over time, 'volant' expanded its applicability, coming to refer to any agile and swift movements, whether in nature or human activities such as dance, thus retaining its connection to the original Latin meaning while broadening its use in the English language.