biplane
(ˈbaɪpleɪn)
[f. bi-2 + plane n.3]
1. Math. Each of the pair of planes tangential to a surface at a binode.
| 1870 Cayley in Phil. Trans. R. Soc. CLIX. 206 The binode..is a biplanar node, where instead of the proper quadricone we have two planes; these may be called the biplanes, and their line of intersection, the edge of the binode. The biplanes form a plane-pair. 1905 W. H. Blythe Models Cubic Surfaces p. xii, When the biplanes coincide the node is said to be uniplanar. |
2. An aeroplane having two ‘planes’ or main supporting surfaces, one above the other.
| 1874 D. S. Brown in Ann. Rep. Aeronaut. Soc. 14 The bi-plane when elevated will proceed for a considerable distance. 1908 Westm. Gaz. 14 Aug. 10/2 Mr. Wilbur Wright is busy experimenting with his greatly successful bi-plane. 1910 R. Ferris How it Flies 12 In March [1908], Delagrange flew in a Voisin biplane 453 feet. 1911 Grahame-White & Harper Aeroplane 17 He [sc. Lilienthal] abandoned the monoplane type of glider in favour of a biplane. Ibid. 18 One of Chanute's biplane gliders was fitted with a stern rudder. 1957 P. Kemp Mine were of Trouble iv. 70 A formation of Fiat CR 42 bi-planes. |