Webster’s 1913 Dictionary
I’m compiling word lists for another project and ran across Webster’s 1913 dictionary. It’s interesting which words have survived and which have fallen by the wayside. I don’t recall ever seeing someone referred to as an “aeroplanist”. I hadn’t heard of an “aerostat” either, but balloonists use the word—there are several sight-seeing companies with aerostat in their name—and there are now companies making aerostats for surveillance, so it must have slipped by me. Here are all of the aircraft-related words starting with aero in the dictionary.
Aero (n.) An aeroplane, airship, or the like.
Aerobic (a.) Growing or thriving only in the presence of oxygen; also, pertaining to, or induced by, aerobies; as, aerobic fermentation.
Aeroboat (n.) A form of hydro-aeroplane; a flying boat.
Aerobus (n.) An aeroplane or airship designed to carry passengers.
Aeroclub (n.) A club or association of persons interested in aeronautics.
Aerocurve (n.) A modification of the aeroplane, having curved surfaces, the advantages of which were first demonstrated by Lilienthal.
Aerodonetics (n.) The science of gliding and soaring flight.
Aerodrome (n.) A shed for housing an airship or aeroplane.
Aerodrome (n.) A ground or field, esp. one equipped with housing and other facilities, used for flying purposes.
Aerofoil (n.) A plane or arched surface for sustaining bodies by its movement through the air; a spread wing, as of a bird.
Aerogun (n.) A cannon capable of being trained at very high angles for use against aircraft.
Aeromechanic (n.) A mechanic or mechanician expert in the art and practice of aeronautics.
Aeromechanic (a.) Alt. of Aeromechanical
Aeromechanical (a.) Of or pert. to aeromechanics.
Aeromechanics (n.) The science of equilibrium and motion of air or an aeriform fluid, including aerodynamics and aerostatics.
Aeronat (n.) A dirigible balloon.
Aeronef (n.) A power-driven, heavier-than-air flying machine.
Aeroplane (n.) A light rigid plane used in aerial 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; hence, a flying machine using such a device. These machines are called monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, or quadruplanes, according to the number of main supporting planes used in their constraction. Being heavier than air they depend for their levitation on motion imparted by one or more propellers actuated by a gasoline 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. There are many varieties of form and construction, which in some cases are known by the names of their inventors.
Aeroplanist (n.) One who flies in an aeroplane.
Aerostat (n.) A passive balloon; a balloon without motive power.
Aerostation (n.) That part of aeronautics that deals with passive balloons.