vane
vane Lexical Profile
vane Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A broad, flat blade attached to a rotating axis, designed to push against fluid or be pushed by wind or fluid, as seen in a windmill, turbine, or propeller.
"The engineers inspected the compressor vanes inside the jet engine for any signs of metal fatigue."
A movable device attached to an elevated structure to indicate the direction of the wind.
"A rusted iron rooster served as the weather vane on top of the old wooden barn."
The flat, webbed surface on either side of the shaft of a feather, or a similar stabilizing fin attached to the tail of an arrow or missile.
"The archer carefully glued a new brightly colored vane onto the shaft of the arrow to ensure stable flight."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word "vane" is frequently confused with its homophones "vein" (a blood vessel or mineral deposit) and "vain" (having an excessively high opinion of oneself, or producing no result).
• Rhymes for vane
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'fane' (flag, banner), from Old English 'fana'. The initial 'v' resulted from a Southern English dialectal shift that voiced the initial 'f'.