Vane (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun
  1. weather vane.
  2. a blade, plate, sail, etc., in the wheel of a windmill, to be moved by the air.
  3. any of a number of blades or plates attached radially to a rotating drum or cylinder, as in a turbine or pump, that move or are moved by a fluid, as steam, water, hot gases, or air.
  4. a person who is readily changeable or fickle.
  5. Aerospace.
    • any fixed or movable plane surface on the outside of a rocket providing directional control while the rocket is within the atmosphere.
    • a similar plane surface located in the exhaust jet of a reaction engine, providing directional control while the engine is firing.
  6. the web of a feather.
  7. either of two fixed projections for sighting an alidade or the like.
  8. feather (def. 5).
noun
  1. British statesman and author.
noun
  1. a flat plate or blade of metal mounted on a vertical axis in an exposed position to indicate wind direction
  2. any one of the flat blades or sails forming part of the wheel of a windmill
  3. any flat or shaped plate used to direct fluid flow, esp a stator blade in a turbine, etc
  4. a fin or plate fitted to a projectile or missile to provide stabilization or guidance
  5. the flat part of a feather, consisting of two rows of barbs on either side of the shaft
  6. surveying
    • a sight on a quadrant or compass
    • the movable marker on a levelling staff
noun
  1. Sir Henry, known as Sir Harry Vane. 1613–62, English Puritan statesman and colonial administrator; governor of Massachusetts (1636–37). He was executed for high treason after the Restoration
    Vane (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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