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Glite Dictionary
machmeter

machmeter

1 9.9
An aircraft instrument that shows speed compared with the speed of sound
  • noun
  • /ˈmɑːkˌmiːtər/
  • Specialized
: machómetro
  • The machmeter indicated they were flying close to Mach 1.

Examples

  • A malfunctioning machmeter can pose serious risks during high-speed flight.

  • The pilot checked the machmeter as the aircraft approached supersonic speed.

  • The machmeter indicated a speed of 0.85.

  • Pilots rely on the machmeter for accurate speed readings.

  • The pilot checked the machmeter to ensure they were approaching the speed of sound.

  • During the flight, the machmeter showed a reading of 0.85, indicating they were traveling fast.

  • Before landing, the crew monitored the machmeter to maintain a safe speed relative to Mach 1.

Surface Forms

machmeter singular
machmeters plural

Morphology

machmeter = Mach (opaque) = Mach + meter

The word is built from the eponymous element 'Mach' plus '-meter', but the aviation-specific technical meaning is not directly predictable for most learners.

Etymology

The word machmeter comes from Mach, the name used for the 'speed of sound', and meter, a device that 'measures' like a speedometer. So, a machmeter is an instrument that tells pilots how their speed compares to the speed of sound.