plane1
n.
- a flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points would wholly lie.
▸an imaginary flat surface through or joining material objects.
▸a flat surface producing lift by the action of air or water over and under it.
- a level of existence or thought:
the spiritual plane.
adj.
- completely level or flat.
- relating to only two-dimensional surfaces or magnitudes:
plane and solid geometry.
v.
- (of a bird or an airborne object) soar without moving the wings; glide.
- (of a boat, surfboard, etc.) skim over the surface of water as a result of lift produced hydrodynamically.
Etymology
C17: from L. planum ‘flat surface’, neut. of planus ‘plain’ (adj.).
plane3
n.
a tool consisting of a block with a projecting steel blade, used to smooth a wooden surface by paring shavings from it.
v.
smooth with a plane.
Etymology
ME: from a var. of obs. Fr. plaine ‘planing instrument’, from late L. plana, from L. planare ‘make level’.
plane4
n.
a tall spreading tree of the northern hemisphere, with maple-like leaves and bark which peels in uneven patches.
[Genus
Platanus.]
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from L. platanus, from Gk platanos, from platus ‘broad’.