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.
- the flat part of a feather with barbs; web
- 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
vaned adjective
vane
Synonyms
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
- top: The vane on top of the tower served to counteract wind torque.
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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