/air"playn'/ , n.
1. a heavier-than-air aircraft kept aloft by the upward thrust exerted by the passing air on its fixed wings and driven by propellers, jet propulsion, etc.
2. any similar heavier-than-air aircraft, as a glider or helicopter.
Also, esp. Brit., aeroplane .
[ 1870-75, for an earlier sense; alter. of AEROPLANE, with AIR 1 r. AERO- ]