aircraft English · revision 4133

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1845}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈeə.krɑːft/, US /ˈer.kræft/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[air]] and [[craft]] “vessel”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) an image from boating, like many early words of aviation.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A craft or vessel that navigates through the air: 1850 in Etymonline, the OED and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) first written air-craft, by John Wise, of balloons;^(Etymonline) 1845 in Merriam-Webster Unabridged.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was used of aeroplanes from 1907,^(Etymonline) and since the 1930s commonly only of them and of other heavier-than-air machines.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The ''aircraft carrier'' is attested from 1919, of HMS Hermes, launched that September as the first ship built from the keel up as one.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Aircraftman'', the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force, is from 1920.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1845 – a flying vessel.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1850 – of balloons.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1907 – of aeroplanes.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1919 – ''aircraft carrier''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1920 – ''aircraftman''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A machine able to fly in the air, such as an [[aeroplane]], [[helicopter]], glider or airship; such machines collectively.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[aircraftsman]]

+ * [[aircraftswoman]]

+ * [[rotary-wing aircraft]]

+ * [[aircraft carrier]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[air]]

+ * [[craft]]

+ * [[airship]]

+ * [[spacecraft]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}