*aero*

n. [ See aerobies. ] an organism such as a microorganism that requires oxygen for life or growth. [ PJC ]

n. pl., but sing. or pl. in usage 1. physical exercises performed in a sustained and strenuous fashion designed to cause a temporary increase in respiration rate and heart rate, such a running, swimming, walking, or calisthenics. Calisthenic sessions in groups, performed by following a leader in moving to a rhythmic musical accompaniment, are a popular form of aerobics. [ PJC. ]

2. a system of physical conditioning relying largely on aerobics exercises. [ PJC. ]

n. 1. the resistance caused by a gas to the motion of a solid body moving through it. Studied in aerodynamics. [ PJC ]

n. [ Aëro- + dynamics: cf. F. aérodynamique. ] The science which treats of the air and other gaseous bodies under the action of force, and of their mechanical effects. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_; . ] (Aëronautics) a heavier-than-air aircraft; same as aeroplane. Contrasted with aerostat. [ PJC ]

n. [ Aëro- + foil. ] A plane or arched surface for sustaining bodies by its movement through the air; a spread wing, as of a bird. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_; knowing, knowledge: cf. F. aérognosie. ] The science which treats of the properties of the air, and of the part it plays in nature. Craig. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One versed in aëography: an aërologist. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Pertaining to aërography; aërological. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + -graphy: cf. F. aérographie. ] A description of the air or atmosphere; aërology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + gun. ] A cannon capable of being trained at very high angles for use against aircraft. Now usually referred to an anitaircraft cannon. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

a. [ Aëro- + hydrodynamic. ] Acting by the force of air and water; as, an aërohydrodynamic wheel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + -lite: cf. F. aérolithe. ] (Meteor.) A stone, or metallic mass, which has fallen to the earth from distant space; a meteorite; a meteoric stone. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Some writers limit the word to stony meteorites. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Aërolite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + lithology. ] The science of aërolites. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to aërolites; meteoric; as, aërolitic iron. Booth. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Of or pertaining to aërology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One versed in aërology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + -logy: cf. F. aérologie. ] That department of physics which treats of the atmosphere. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + -mancy: cf. F. aéromancie. ] Divination from the state of the air or from atmospheric substances; also, forecasting changes in the weather. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A mechanic or mechanician expert in the art and practice of aëronautics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ , a. Of or pert. to aëromechanics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The science of equilibrium and motion of air or an aëriform fluid, including aërodynamics and aërostatics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Aëro- + -meter: cf. F. éromètre. ] An instrument for ascertaining the weight or density of air and gases. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to aërometry; as, aërometric investigations. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + -metry: cf. F. érométrie. ] The science of measuring the air, including the doctrine of its pressure, elasticity, rarefaction, and condensation; pneumatics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. aéronat. See Aëro-; Natation. ] A dirigible balloon. [ obsolescent ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. [ F. aéronaute, fr. Gr. &unr_; air + &unr_; sailor. See Nautical. ] An aërial navigator; a balloonist. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. aéronauitique. ] Pertaining to aëronautics, or aërial sailing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science or art of ascending and sailing in the air, as by means of a balloon; aërial navigation; ballooning. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. aéronef. ] A power-driven, heavier-than-air flying machine. Now called airplane. [ obsolescent ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

{ ‖ } n. [ Aero- + Gr. fo`bos fear: cf. F. aérophobie. ] (Med.) Dread of a current of air or of fresh air. [ 1913 Webster + AS ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_; voice. ] (a) A form of combined speaking and ear trumpet. (b) An instrument, proposed by Edison, for greatly intensifying speech. It consists of a phonograph diaphragm so arranged that its action opens and closes valves, producing synchronous air blasts sufficient to operate a larger diaphragm with greater amplitude of vibration. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. fyto`n plant, fy`ein to grow: cf. F. aérophyte. ] (Bot.) A plant growing entirely in the air, and receiving its nourishment from it; an air plant or epiphyte. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ aëro- + plane. ] (Aëronautics) 1. A light rigid plane used in aërial navigation to oppose sudden upward or downward movement in the air, as in gliding machines; specif., such a plane slightly inclined and driven forward as a lifting device in some flying machines. Also called airfoil. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. Hence: A heavier-than-air flying machine using such a device to provide lift; an airplane. In a modern aeroplane, the airfoils are called the wings, and most of the lift is derived from these surfaces. In contrast to helicopters, the wings are fixed to the passenger compartment (airframe) and do not move relative to the frame; thus such a machine is called a fixed-wing aircraft. These machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting planes (wings) used in their construction. After 1940 few planes with more than one airfoil were constructed, and these are used by hobbyists or for special purposes. Being heavier than air they depend for their levitation on motion imparted by the thrust from either propellers driven by an engine, or, in a jet plane, by the reaction from a high-velocity stream of gases expelled rearward from a jet engine. They start from the ground by a run on small wheels or runners, and are guided by a steering apparatus consisting of horizontal and vertical movable planes, which usually form part of the wings or tail. There are many varieties of form and construction, which in some cases are known by the names of their inventors. In U.S., an aeroplane is usually called an airplane or plane. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. One who flies in an aëroplane.
Syn. -- aviator, aviatrix, airman. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_; to look out. ] (Biol.) An apparatus designed for collecting spores, germs, bacteria, etc., suspended in the air. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_; a looking out; &unr_; to spy out. ] The observation of the state and variations of the atmosphere. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. aerosus, fr. aes, aeris, brass, copper. ] Of the nature of, or like, copper; brassy. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aëro- + siderite. ] (Meteor.) A mass of meteoric iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. the atmosphere and outer space considered together or as a whole. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. the sector of industry that designs and builds aircraft, rockets, missiles, and devices or vehicles intended to operate in outer space. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. of or pertaining to aerospace in either sense. [ PJC ]

n. [ Aëro- + sphere: cf. F. aérosphère. ] The atmosphere. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. aérostat, fr. Gr. &unr_; air + &unr_; placed. See Statics. ] 1. (Aëronautics) A balloon, especially a passive balloon; a balloon without motive power. Contrasted with aerodyne. [ 1913 Webster +Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. A balloonist; an aëronaut. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. aérostatique. See Statical, Statics. ] 1. Of or pertaining to aërostatics; pneumatic. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Aëronautic; as, an aërostatic voyage. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science that treats of the equilibrium of elastic fluids, or that of bodies sustained in them. Hence it includes aëronautics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. aérostation the art of using aërostats. ] 1. That part of aëronautics that deals with passive balloons; the art of raising and guiding balloons in the air. [ 1913 Webster +Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. The science of weighing air; aërostatics. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Aëro-; Taxis. ] (Bacteriology) The positive or negative stimulus exerted by oxygen on aërobic and anaërobic bacteria. -- A`ër*o*tac"tic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]