vane

vane Definition

vane (vān)

noun

a flat piece of metal, strip of cloth, etc. set up high to swing with the wind and show which way it is blowing; weather vane
any of several flat or curved pieces set around an axle and rotated about it by moving air, water, etc. [the vanes of a windmill], or mechanically rotated to move the air or water [the vanes of a turbine] or to compress the air [the vanes of a supercharger]
a projecting fixed or movable plate or strip of metal attached to a rocket, missile, etc. to provide stability or guidance
a target set to slide on a leveling rod, for use in surveying
any of the sights on a compass, quadrant, etc.
1. the flat part of a feather with barbs; web
2. a feather on an arrow, used to stabilize flight

Etymology: S Brit var. of fane, small flag or pennon < OE fana, a flag < PGmc *fanan- < IE base *pan- > pane

vane Related Forms

vaned adjective

vane Synonyms

weather vane, weathercock, wind gauge, blade; see device 1.

vane Usage Examples

Converse of object

turn: Most children were able to produce simple procedures to turn on lights, sound the alarm and turn the weather vane.
make: A motor will be used to make a weather vane.
have: The edge of the saucer shaped object was thick and had vanes spaced about every foot, like buckets on a turbine wheel.
inlet: Inlet guide vanes -- devices positioned by the inlet guide vane actuator pilot valve.

Converse of subject

surmount: Bell turret: square with horizontal timber boarding, pyramidal roof surmounted by weather vane and arrow.

Adjective modifier

adjustable: For medium head schemes runners are mounted in a spiral casing with internal adjustable guide vanes.
variable: The square air ducts ahead of each engine feature variable geometry vanes.

Preposition: on

Modifies a noun

pump: They are a leading manufacturer of gear, piston and vane pumps.
motor: By replacing 68 vane type air motors with piston type air motors, an automotive paint plant has cut air consumption by 85 % .
type: By replacing 68 vane type air motors with piston type air motors, an automotive paint plant has cut air consumption by 85 % .
junior: Vane junior do make Report of the Papers referred concerning the Scotts Army.
compressor: Vane compressors, whether air or water cooled, find diminishing use for industrial applications.
anemometer: Vane anemometers or heated head air meters may be used to measure air flow in ducts.

Noun used with modifier

weather: Scott's initials appear in the weather vane at the very top of the Clock.
inlet: In front of the first rotor stage are the inlet guide vanes.
wind: Let's complete our homemade weather station with a wind vane which will indicate which way the wind is blowing.
mirror: Diffraction spikes on a reflector's star images, caused by its secondary mirror spider vanes, are absent in an unobstructed refractor.
guide: In front of the first rotor stage are the inlet guide vanes.
metal: The ignition coil receives current whilst the metal vane is passing through the magnetic field of the hall sensor.

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