plane
1
[ pleyn ]
/ pleɪn /
noun
adjective
flat or level, as a surface.
of or relating to planes or plane figures.
verb (used without object), planed, plan·ing.
Origin of plane
1
1400–50 for sense “to soar”; 1640–50 for noun and adj. senses; (noun) < Latin
plānum flat surface (noun use of
plānus flat); (adj.) < Latin
plānus; first used to distinguish the geometrical senses formerly belonging to
plain1; in def. 5, shortened form of
airplane,
aeroplane, or
hydroplane; (v.) late Middle English
planen (of a bird) to soar (compare Middle French
planer); akin to
plain1
OTHER WORDS FROM plane
plane·ness, nounWords nearby plane
Definition for plane (2 of 3)
plane
2
[ pleyn ]
/ pleɪn /
noun
Carpentry.
any of various woodworking instruments for paring, truing, or smoothing, or for forming moldings, chamfers, rabbets, grooves, etc., by means of an inclined, adjustable blade moved along and against the piece being worked.
a trowellike tool for smoothing the surface of clay in a brick mold.
verb (used with object), planed, plan·ing.
to smooth or dress with or as if with a plane or a planer.
to remove by or as if by means of a plane (usually followed by away or off).
verb (used without object), planed, plan·ing.
to work with a plane.
to function as a plane.
Origin of plane
2
1275–1325; (noun) Middle English (< Middle French) < Late Latin
plāna, derivative of
plānāre to smooth, itself derivative of Latin
plānus
plain1; (v.) Middle English
planen (< Middle French
planer) < Late Latin
plānāre
Definition for plane (3 of 3)
Origin of plane
3
1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin
platanus < Greek
plátanos, derivative of
platýs broad,
flat1 (with reference to the leaves)
Example sentences from the Web for plane
British Dictionary definitions for plane (1 of 3)
plane
1
/ (pleɪn) /
noun
adjective
level or flat
maths
(of a curve, figure, etc) lying entirely in one plane
verb (intr)
Derived forms of plane
planeness, nounWord Origin for plane
C17: from Latin
plānum level surface
British Dictionary definitions for plane (2 of 3)
plane
2
/ (pleɪn) /
noun
a tool with an adjustable sharpened steel blade set obliquely in a wooden or iron body, for levelling or smoothing timber surfaces, cutting mouldings or grooves, etc
a flat tool, usually metal, for smoothing the surface of clay or plaster in a mould
verb (tr)
to level, smooth, or cut (timber, wooden articles, etc) using a plane or similar tool
(often foll by off)
to remove using a plane
Word Origin for plane
C14: via Old French from Late Latin
plāna plane, from
plānāre to level
British Dictionary definitions for plane (3 of 3)
Medical definitions for plane
plane
[ plān ]
n.
A surface containing all the straight lines that connect any two points on it.
A flat or level surface.
An imaginary surface formed by extension through any axis of the body or through two definite points on the body.
Scientific definitions for plane
plane
[ plān ]
Noun
A two-dimensional surface, any two of whose points can be joined by a straight line that lies entirely in the surface.
Adjective
Lying in a plane:a plane curve.
Cultural definitions for plane
plane
A geometrical location having only two dimensions — length and width (no height). (See coordinates and plane geometry.)