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Glite Dictionary
biplane

biplane

5 6.4
A plane with two wings, one above the other
  • noun
  • /ˈbaɪˌpleɪn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : biplano
  • The pilot performed daring maneuvers in his classic biplane during the airshow.

Examples

  • Billy Fiske has rustled up a biplane and is giving basic flying lessons now.

    Jackboots on Whitehall (2010)

  • One of my all-time favorites is the legendary Stearman biplane.

    Legends of Flight (2010)

  • On her birthday each year, he will buy her a trip on a biplane.

    20th Century Women (2016)

  • Every penny I make goes into the building of a brand new biplane for air acrobatics.

    The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

  • The biplane burbled off toward the west, following Highway 90 at two hundred feet.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • A biplane puttered high above the bleachers, trailing a banner: MARRY ME.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Star right-fielder Bump Bailey's ashes were dropped from a biplane as fans and ballplayers stood and paid their last respects.

    The Natural (1984)

  • Many biplanes were used for barnstorming tours in the early 20th century.

  • She admired the vintage biplane displayed at the aviation museum.

Synonyms

plane
vsbiplane
∞ 1.0

A flying machine with wings that carries people

has two vertically stacked wing sets rather than a single fixed wing
aeroplane
vsbiplane
  • UK
14 1.3

A machine with wings and an engine that flies to carry people or goods

features two stacked wing sets instead of one fixed wing

Compounds

biplane flying fish
8.8

A flying fish with large front and back fins that lets it glide far above water

How Many Wings

multiplane
  • Specialized
9.4
triplane
  • Specialized
7.8
biplane
  • Archaic
5 6.4
monoplane
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Surface Forms

biplane singular
biplanes plural

Morphology

biplane = plane (transparent) = bi + plane

The prefix 'bi-' (two) combined with 'plane' (aircraft) clearly yields 'an aircraft with two wings', a straightforward and productive formation.

Etymology

The word biplane comes from bi- meaning 'two' and plane, as in airplane, meaning 'a flying machine'. So a biplane is literally a 'two-wing' plane with one wing above the other, which is why early pilots often flew them.