Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To glide toward the earth in an airplane with the engine cut off.
- intransitive verb To glide toward the earth with the engine cut off. Used of an airplane.
- intransitive verb To make one's way or go by gliding.
- noun The act or an instance of volplaning.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- intransitive verb (Aëronautics) To glide in a flying machine.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun a steep, controlled
dive , especially by an aircraft with the engine off - verb to make a volplane
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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They were to glide, or as it is called "volplane" (pronounced vol-pla-nay, with the accent on the last syllable) to the ground.
Dick Hamilton's Airship, or, a Young Millionaire in the Clouds Howard Roger Garis 1917
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He found he could volplane it without engine by reaching in to grab the stick among the flames although his hand got burnt.
The Rainbow and the Rose Shute, Nevil, 1899-1960 1958
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There was the aerodrome, turn off the cock and put her into a volplane.
The Rainbow and the Rose Shute, Nevil, 1899-1960 1958
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Turning again, he concluded to pass between two of the pinnacles, and immediately volplane down on the other side.
The Boy Scouts on the Yukon Ralph Victor
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We could not continue, any more than the other fellow, and would have to volplane to the ground.
Around the World in Ten Days Chelsea Curtis Fraser
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He passed over high buildings, skirted what seemed like a factory district, and began to volplane.
Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane Roy Rockwood
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Then, timing and calculating a volplane glide, he let the machine down easily to the ground.
Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane Roy Rockwood
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For as Tom shut off his motor, to volplane down, thus reducing all noise on his craft, they could dimly hear the shouts and calls for help, coming from the water craft below them.
Tom Swift Among the Fire Fighters, or, Battling with Flames from the Air Victor [pseud.] Appleton
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Dave turned the head of the machine on a volplane sweep, and the searchlight operator could not locate it again.
Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane Roy Rockwood
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John shut off both engines, and they began to volplane down in a great stillness, sailing like an immense hawk.
Around the World in Ten Days Chelsea Curtis Fraser
reesetee commented on the word volplane
1) To glide toward the earth in an airplane with the engine cut off. 2) To make one's way or go by gliding.
April 3, 2008