Rudder Definition

rŭdər
rudders
noun
A broad, flat, movable piece of wood or metal hinged vertically at the stern of a boat or ship, used for steering.
Webster's New World
A movable piece attached to the vertical stabilizer of an aircraft, etc., used for controlling direction to the left or right.
Webster's New World
Something serving to guide, direct, or control.
Webster's New World

(nautical) An underwater vane used to steer a vessel. The rudder is controlled by means of a wheel, tiller or other apparatus (modern vessels can be controlled even with a joystick or an autopilot).

Wiktionary
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Rudder

Noun

Singular:
rudder
Plural:
rudders

Origin of Rudder

  • Old English rōþor (“rudder"), from Proto-Germanic *rōþrÄ… (“rudder"; literally, "paddle, instrument for rowing"), from Proto-Germanic *rōanÄ… "to row" from Proto-Indo-European *ere-, *rÄ“- (“to row") + Proto-Germanic *-þrÄ…, *-þraz, instrumental suffix. Akin to Old English rōwan (“to row"). More at rōwan, -þor.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English ruder from Old English rōther steering oar erə- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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