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aerofoil

aerofoil

8.7
A shaped surface like a wing or blade that makes lift when it moves through air
  • noun
  • /ˈɛroʊfɔɪl/
  • UK
translation icon : aerofolio
  • To improve fuel efficiency, the aerofoil of the car was redesigned to reduce air resistance.

Examples

  • Here's a little aerofoil I thought you might find amusing.

  • The 135's blades, although based on "identical" aerofoil profiles to the 116, have less carbon and are therefore "softer," in keeping with a design shift meant to cushion gust-driven loads.

    Blog text (32)
  • So what I was thinking was what about if this aerofoil split down the middle?

  • - It had these aerofoils that seemed to... -

  • I can particularly remember soaring on the wind more or less in the ski-jumper's aerofoil position.

    Blog text (24)
  • The current design elements, like the flared fenders, short overhangs, and aerofoil-like roofline, will be retained in the new design.

    Blog text (4)
  • The airplane's wings are designed as an aerofoil to generate lift as it speeds through the air.

  • Engineers tested the new aerofoil shape in a wind tunnel to observe its impact on flight performance.

Synonyms

airfoil
vsaerofoil
  • Specialized
2 8.1

A curved shape like a wing or blade that makes lift when it moves through air

emphasizes the shape producing lift or other aerodynamic forces when moving through air
foil
vsaerofoil
  • Specialized
2 8.4

A curved surface on a boat or plane that helps it lift and steer

refers specifically to shapes that produce aerodynamic forces in air

Surface Forms

aerofoil singular
aerofoils plural
airfoils plural
airfoil singular

Morphology

aerofoil = foil (semi-transparent) = aero + foil

The parts (air + surface) give a clear clue to meaning, but 'aero-' is a technical combining form and 'foil' in the aerodynamic sense is specialized, so an average B1 learner may only partially derive the meaning.

Etymology

The word aerofoil is made of aero- 'air' and foil 'leaf' or 'thin sheet'. So an aerofoil is like a thin 'leaf' moving through the air to help a plane or a rotor blade rise, which is why wings and blades are called aerofoils.