rudder

English

/ˈɹʌdə(ɹ)/, /ˈɹʌdɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • (nautical) An underwater vane used to steer a vessel. The rudder is controlled by means of a wheel, tiller or other apparatus (modern vessels can be controlled even with a joystick or an autopilot).
  • (aeronautics) A control surface on the vertical stabilizer of a fixed-wing aircraft or an autogyro. On some craft, the entire vertical stabilizer comprises the rudder. The rudder is controlled by foot-operated control pedals.
  • A riddle or sieve.
  • (figurative) That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English rodder inherited from Old English rōþor (rudder, oar) inherited from Proto-Germanic *rōþrą (rudder, instrument for rowing, oar, literally paddle) derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (row, separate) inherited from Proto-Germanic *-þrą root from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (row, separate).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*h₁reh₁-

Gloss

row, separate

Concept
Semantic Field

Motion

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms