aeroplane \aer"*o*plane`\ aeroplane \a"["e]r*o*plane`\, n. [a["e]ro- + plane.]

(A["e]ronautics)

1. A light rigid plane used in a["e]rial navigation to oppose sudden upward or downward movement in the air, as in gliding machines; specif., such a plane slightly inclined and driven forward as a lifting device in some flying machines. Also called airfoil. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. Hence: A heavier-than-air flying machine using such a device to provide lift; an airplane. In a modern aeroplane, the airfoils are called the wings, and most of the lift is derived from these surfaces. In contrast to helicopters, the wings are fixed to the passenger compartment (airframe) and do not move relative to the frame; thus such a machine is called a fixed-wing aircraft. These machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting planes (wings) used in their construction. After 1940 few planes with more than one airfoil were constructed, and these are used by hobbyists or for special purposes. Being heavier than air they depend for their levitation on motion imparted by the thrust from either propellers driven by an engine, or, in a jet plane, by the reaction from a high-velocity stream of gases expelled rearward from a jet engine. They start from the ground by a run on small wheels or runners, and are guided by a steering apparatus consisting of horizontal and vertical movable planes, which usually form part of the wings or tail. There are many varieties of form and construction, which in some cases are known by the names of their inventors. In U.S., an aeroplane is usually called an airplane or plane. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

121 Moby Thesaurus words for "aeroplane": adjustable propeller, afterburner, aileron, air controls, air scoop, aircraft, airlift, airplane, airscrew, astrodome, avion, balloon, bay, be airborne, beaching gear, blister, body, bomb bay, bonnet, bow, brace wire, bubble, bubble canopy, bubble hood, bucket seat, cabin, canopy, cat strip, chassis, chin, coaxial propellers, cockpit, coke-bottle fuselage, control surface, control wires, cowl, crew compartment, cruise, deck, dihedral, dorsal airdome, drift, dual controls, ejection seat, ejector, elevator, elevon, ferry, fin, finger patch, flap, flit, float, fly, flying machine, fuel injector, fuselage, gas-shaft hood, glide, gore, gull wing, gun mount, hatch, heavier-than-air craft, hood, hop, hover, hydroplane, instruments, jackstay, jet, jet pipe, keel, kite, laminar-flow system, landing gear, launching gear, launching tube, leading edge, longeron, nacelle, navigate, nose, pants, parasol wing, plane, pod, pontoon, prop, propeller, rudder, rudder bar, sail, sailplane, seaplane, ship, ski landing gear, slitwing, soar, spinner, spoiler, spray strip, stabilizator, stabilizer, stay, stick, stick control, stressed skin, strut, tail, tail plane, tail skid, take the air, take wing, truss, turret, undercarriage, volplane, wheel parts, wing, wing radiator

Source: Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
 

aeroplane

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Aeroplane \A"["e]r*o*plane`\, n. [A["e]ro- + plane.]

A flying machine, or a small plane for experiments on flying, which floats in the air only when propelled through it.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Aeroplane \A"["e]r*o*plane`\, n. [A["e]ro- + plane.]

(A["e]ronautics) A light rigid plane used in a["e]rial navigation to oppose sudden upward or downward movement in the air, as in gliding machines; specif., such a plane slightly inclined and driven forward as a lifting device in some flying machines; hence, a flying machine using such a device. These machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting planes used in their constraction. Being heavier than air they depend for their levitation on motion imparted by one or more propellers actuated by a gasoline engine. They start from the ground by a run on small wheels or runners, and are guided by a steering apparatus consisting of horizontal and vertical movable planes. There are many varieties of form and construction, which in some cases are known by the names of their inventors.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Passive balloon \Pas"sive bal*loon"\ or aeroplane \a"["e]r*o*plane\ One unprovided with motive power.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)