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slipstream

slipstream

12 8.0
Air moving behind a fast vehicle like a plane or car that helps others go faster
  • noun
  • /ˈslɪpˌstrim/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estela
  • As the car sped past him, he felt the force of the slipstream pushing against his body.
  • slipstream flight
  • slipstream velocity
  • threshold of the slipstream

Examples

  • Then you can put your foot down... pull out of the slipstream and maybe overtake two, three cars at once.

  • The pilot skillfully maneuvered the aircraft to take advantage of the slipstream created by the jet's wings.

  • Flying through the slipstream with a whole lot of green.

  • But I'll have to watch the slipstream.

  • Because it's not really the ship that presents a surface to the slipstream.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • We're entering the slipstream.

  • Her long red hair danced in the slipstream, strands flying in front of her freckled face.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Raindrops beaded up along the windows and rolled swiftly away as the slipstream caught them.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • But a golf ball has little detents on it because they create a little bit of turbulent air that creates A slipstream around the golf ball that allows it to fly farther.

  • My feet remained planted at the threshold of the open door, but my body tilted forward, like a tree, into the slipstream, while on each side master skydivers held on to my parachute harness and tilted along with me.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

race
vsslipstream
  • Archaic
7 8.4

A strong flow of air pushed backward by a plane propeller

is wider, covering rearward flow from wings as well as propellers
wash
vsslipstream
  • Specialized
5 8.4

The flow of air pushed backward by a propeller or wing

is the broader named aerodynamic flow produced by moving aircraft
backflow
vsslipstream
  • Specialized
2 6.2

A flow of water or gas that moves back toward its source and can pollute the supply

is the planned rearward airflow produced by moving aircraft rather than return flow
backwash
vsslipstream
1 6.1

A backward flow of water behind a moving boat that rocks small boats

is limited to air flow caused by moving aircraft, not water
airstream
vsslipstream
  • Specialized
1 6.3

Air pushed backward by an aircraft propeller or jet engine

emphasizes airflow from moving aircraft including wing effects as well

How Strong

slipstream
  • Specialized
12 8.0
wash
  • Specialized
5 8.4
airflow
13 3.5
draft
  • US
24 3.1
wake
41 6.5

Surface Forms

slipstream singular
slipstreams plural

Morphology

slipstream = slip + stream (transparent) = slip + stream

The meaning 'a stream of air following a moving object' is directly predictable from 'slip' + 'stream' (flow following a slipping/moving body).

Etymology

Slipstream joins slip ('to slide') and stream ('a flow'). It paints a clear picture: a fast plane or car makes a flow of air behind it that another vehicle can 'slip' into to be pulled along or that can cause bumpy, dangerous air.