[‘ A machine designed to fly by means of artificial flapping wings. Cf. earlier orthopter n.1’]
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈɔːnᵻθɒptər/, ˌɔːnᵻˈθɒptər, U.S. /ˈɔrnəθɑptər/, ˈɔrnəθɑpdər
Forms: 19 *ornithoptere* /rare/, 19– *ornithopter*.
Etymology: < ornitho- comb. form + -pter comb. form, after French ornithoptère (first used in this sense by P. Renard 1908, in L’Aérophile 15 Jan. 35). Compare earlier orthopter n.1
The French word was intended to replace orthoptère/ orthopter n.1 because of the latter’s etymological inappropriateness and its homonymy with the entomological term orthopter n.2 In fact, /ornithoptère is itself attested earlier (1892) denoting a South-East Asian butterfly.
/Aeronaut./
A machine designed to fly by means of artificial flapping wings. Cf. earlier orthopter n.1
1908 /Aeronautics/ *1* 86/1 /Ornithoptere/ denotes a machine in which the means of sustentation and propulsion consist of beating-wings.
1909 /Flight/ *1* 99/2 There are many who watch most anxiously for the success of artificial flapping flight by the aid of machines which have been variously named ‘orthopters’ and ‘ornithopters’.
1933 /Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc./ *37* 205 This gentleman..produced a machine of the ornithopter type for military observation.
1957 /Listener/ 19 Dec. 1021/2 Where the aeroplane was concerned, Leonardo gave most of his attention almost obsessionally to the flapping wing ornithopter.
1976 /Globe & Mail (Toronto)/ 4 Aug. 2/6 Mr. Newell..has built five of his airplanes, called ornithopters, in the past 12 years.
2001 /New Scientist/ 7 July 37/2 If she gets airborne, she’ll have to contend with an unusual ride quality, as the ornithopter bucks up and down.