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Glite Dictionary
✈️ Shell structure 🚗 Shell-based design
monocoque

monocoque

9.8
Having an outer shell that supports most of a car or plane's weight
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɒnəˌkoʊk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : monocasco
  • Many modern airplanes use monocoque construction to maximize strength and efficiency.

Examples

  • The new sports car features a monocoque design for improved safety and reduced weight.

  • Engineers chose a monocoque structure to simplify the manufacturing process and enhance durability.

  • The new sports car features a monocoque design that enhances its performance.

  • Is this aircraft built with a monocoque structure?

  • The new sports car features a monocoque design for improved safety and reduced weight.

  • Many modern airplanes use monocoque construction to maximize strength and efficiency.

  • Engineers chose a monocoque structure to simplify the manufacturing process and enhance durability.

How Load-Bearing

monocoque
  • Specialized
9.8
framed
2.8

Surface Forms

monocoque positive

Morphology

monocoque = mono + coque

The mono- element is recognizable, but coque is a French technical borrowing that is not a transparent English base, so the full meaning is not easily recoverable for most learners.

Etymology

Monocoque comes from mono- 'one', the same 'mono' you see in monorail, and French coque 'shell', so it literally means a 'single shell'. That's why a monocoque design means the car or plane's outer shell carries most of the weight instead of an inner frame.