hydroplane
hydroplane Lexical Profile
hydroplane Game Scores & Validity
• verb
North American To slide uncontrollably on a wet road because a thin film of water builds up beneath the tires and causes them to lose contact with the pavement (of a motor vehicle or its driver).
"Drivers were warned to slow down during the downpour so their cars would not hydroplane on the highway."
To skim across the surface of the water with the hull lifted largely clear of the water by hydrodynamic force (of a boat), or to pilot a hydroplane.
"As the throttle opened, the sleek craft began to hydroplane effortlessly across the bay."
• noun
A light, high-powered motorboat designed with a stepped or flat hull so that it skims across the surface of the water at high speeds with most of its hull lifted out of the water.
"The racing hydroplane roared across the lake, barely touching the surface of the water."
An aircraft equipped with floats or a boat-like hull that enables it to take off from and land on water; a seaplane.
"Early aviation pioneers frequently tested their hydroplanes on calm coastal bays."
A movable fin-like control surface mounted on the hull of a submarine to regulate its vertical pitch and depth while submerged.
"The submarine's officer adjusted the forward hydroplanes to bring the vessel cleanly to periscope depth."
Word Nuance & Usage
In reference to a road vehicle sliding uncontrollably on a wet surface, "hydroplane" is standard in North American English, whereas "aquaplane" is preferred in British English.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century from the combining form "hydro-" (from Ancient Greek "hydor", meaning water) and "plane" (from Latin "planus", meaning flat or level), modeled after "aeroplane".