swept
6.5
A wing that slants backward to help a plane fly faster
- adjective
- /swɛpt/
- Specialized
:
de alas barridas
- The aircraft's swept wings allow it to fly more efficiently at high speeds.
Examples
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All right, why the swept wings compared to, say, straight wings?
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To me that's ugly, even though it looks beautiful, like a like a swept wing spaceship or a fighter.
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Can you see in there how they're swept back like that?
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Engineers designed the new plane with swept wings to reduce drag during flight.
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The swept wing shape enhances the plane's aerodynamic performance.
Synonyms
7.7
Wings that are angled backward from their base to help a plane fly faster
is used for objects more generally rather than only wings or similar parts
7.7
A plane with wings that slant backward to help it fly faster
is a general description of the angled shape not about performance
Compounds
Surface Forms
swept positive
Etymology
The word swept is the past form of sweep, which means 'to move' or 'push' in a long, smooth motion, like using a broom. So a swept wing is one that looks like it has been 'swept back', slanted toward the back to help the plane fly faster.
