vane

• Substantif désignant un dispositif plat ou rotatif, tel qu'une girouette, un aileron stabilisateur de projectile, une pale interagissant avec l'air ou l'eau, ou le vexille d'une plume.

A noun referring to a flat or rotating device, such as a weather vane, a stabilizing fin on a projectile, a blade that interacts with air or water, or the webbed part of a feather.

1. Weather vaneB1formal

   A mechanical device attached to an elevated structure that rotates freely to show the direction of the wind.

   Girouette

   • The rooster-shaped vane on the barn pointed north.
   • He climbed up to repair the rusty weather vane.
   • The wind vane indicated a change in the breeze.

   Synonymesweather vaneweathercockweathervanewind vane

2. Stabilizing finC1formaltechnical

   A fin attached to the tail of an arrow, bomb, or missile to stabilize or guide its flight.

   Empennage de stabilisation

   • The arrow's vane helped it fly straight.
   • Engineers designed a new vane for the missile guidance system.
   • The bomb's tail vane ensured a stable trajectory.

   Synonymesfinstabilizertail fin

3. Rotating bladeC1formaltechnical

   A flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water, used in turbines or pumps.

   Aube (de rotor/turbine)

   • The turbine vane spun rapidly in the wind.
   • Water flowed past the pump's vane, generating pressure.
   • Each vane of the propeller was carefully balanced.

   Synonymesbladeimpellerpaddlerotor blade

4. Feather partC2formalscientific

   The flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft.

   Vexille (partie de plume)

   • The vane of the feather was damaged, affecting its flight.
   • Ornithologists examined the vane structure under a microscope.
   • The bird's feather had a symmetrical vane on each side.

   Synonymesweb