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copter

copter

21 3.9
A short informal word for a helicopter that flies using turning blades
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒptər/
  • Informal
translation icon : helico
  • Rayford whirled and watched the copter eclipse the descending sun.

Like how how about a a drone copter that detaches from yours, attaches to the other bot, picks it up and drops it out of the ring?

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Examples

  • Can you order us a copter?

  • When I looked up, the copter was just a speck receding toward the horizon.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Additionally, our Channel Four News copter has been in the air all morning.

  • I can spot from a 'copter.

  • You know how to get to the copter pad.

  • We have a traffic copter now here at WWWW.

  • Chief, we've got the copter ready.

  • Flying upriver on Johnson's copter through a canyon twenty-five feet above the river.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Batman watches as a copter descends toward the helipad on the roof of the Globe ...

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The news team flew in a copter to cover the breaking story from the air.

Synonyms

helicopter
vscopter
759 2.5

A flying machine with turning blades that can hover and take off straight up

is an informal alternative used in casual speech
chopper
vscopter
  • Slang
204 3.9

A machine with large top blades that flies and carries people

is also informal but more general slang for the same vehicle
helo
vscopter
  • Jargon
27 8.1

A helicopter that carries people or supplies, often used by the military

is informal general speech rather than a specialist term
heli
vscopter
  • Informal
3 8.5

A short word for a helicopter, a flying machine with spinning blades

is the same meaning but as a different informal spelling
rotorcraft
vscopter
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A flying machine lifted and moved by spinning blades like a helicopter

is an informal single-word name for that kind rather than a technical class
eggbeater
vscopter
  • Slang
8.9

A flying machine that uses spinning blades above it to lift and move

is informal too but is neutral informal rather than joking

Surface Forms

copter singular
copters plural

Etymology

The word copter is a short form of helicopter, and that full word comes from the Greek parts helix and pteron, which mean 'spiral' and 'wing', so you can think of it as a 'spinning wing'. That's why a copter is an aircraft that flies with rotating blades.