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parafoil

parafoil

1 8.1
A parachute with a wing shape that lets you steer as you fall
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛrəfɔɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : paracaídas de ala
  • Engineers studied the performance of the parafoil to improve its ability to handle strong winds during flight.
  • fly the parafoil
  • parafoil design

Examples

  • The skydiver maneuvered the parafoil expertly, gliding smoothly toward the designated landing zone.

  • The skydiver deployed his parafoil and began to steer toward the landing zone.

  • Modern parafoils allow for greater control and longer gliding distances than traditional parachutes.

  • She learned how to control a parafoil during her advanced parachuting course.

  • The parafoil glided smoothly through the air.

  • Have you ever tried using a parafoil for skydiving?

  • During the demonstration, the parafoil opened perfectly, allowing the pilot to control the descent with precision.

How Steerable

paraglider
1 4.9
parafoil
  • Specialized
1 8.1
canopy
  • Specialized
4 5.5

Surface Forms

parafly singular
paraflies plural

Morphology

parafoil = foil (opaque) = para + foil

The word is a technical formation based on clipped para- plus foil, but the specialized aviation meaning is not predictable from the everyday sense of either component.

Etymology

Parafoil combines para-, from 'parachute', and foil, a word for a thin wing shape like airfoil. So a parafoil is like a 'winged parachute' that you can steer and glide with control.