seaplane
(ˈsiːpleɪn)
[f. sea n. + plane n.5]
An aeroplane designed to be able to operate from water; spec. one with floats, in contrast to a flying boat.
| 1913 [see hydroplane n. 3]. 1914 Daily Express 2 Nov. 5/2 The old cruiser Hermes..had been recently used as a seaplane-carrying ship. 1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, B.C.) 5 Oct. 12/3 Seaplane stations have been established by the Air Board of Canada. 1938 Sun (Baltimore) 21 July 1/8 Hooked together—the seaplane Mercury above and the flying boat Maia below—the two planes rose from the river Shannon this evening. 1954 P. K. Kemp Fleet Air Arm 87 Three cross-Channel steamers were taken up to be transformed into seaplane carriers. 1973 [see refuel v. 2]. |