volplane

[ vol-pleyn ]

/ ˈvɒlˌpleɪn /

verb (used without object), vol·planed, vol·plan·ing.

to glide toward the earth in an airplane, with no motor power or with the power shut off.

noun

a glide in an airplane.

Origin of volplane

1905–10; < French vol plané glided flight, equivalent to vol flight (noun derivative of voler < Latin volāre to fly) + plané, past participle of planer to glide (see plane¹)

OTHER WORDS FROM volplane

vol·plan·ist, noun

Words nearby volplane

volley, volleyball, vologda, volos, volost, volplane, vols., volsci, volscian, volstead, volstead act

Example sentences from the Web for volplane

When they had mounted to a considerable height, Alfred shut off the engines and allowed her to volplane toward the sea.

Curlie Carson Listens In |Roy J. Snell
Without a moment's delay Barcroft switched off the ignition and commenced a volplane.

Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. |Percy F. Westerman
They were then at an altitude of a mile, and inability to start the motor made it necessary for them to volplane to the earth.

The Boy Volunteers with the French Airmen |Kenneth Ward
He had only enough fuel for another thousand meters or so, and then he must volplane.

Air Service Boys in the Big Battle |Charles Amory Beach

Andy attempted some volplane skits that were fairly hair-raising.

Airship Andy |Frank V. Webster

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