An air-cushion vehicle (ACV) is a type of vehicle that moves over the surface of land or water by using a cushion of air. It is also known as a hovercraft, and it has been used for various purposes, including transportation, military operations, and rescue missions. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of an air-cushion vehicle.
Definitions
An air-cushion vehicle is a type of vehicle that is supported by a cushion of air, which is created by a fan or a propeller. It is designed to move over land or water, and it can travel at high speeds. The air cushion reduces friction and allows the vehicle to glide smoothly over the surface.
Origin
The concept of an air-cushion vehicle was first introduced in the early 20th century by Sir John Thornycroft, a British engineer. He developed a prototype of a hovercraft in 1870, but it was not until the 1950s that the first practical air-cushion vehicle was built by Christopher Cockerell, another British engineer. Since then, air-cushion vehicles have been used for various purposes, including military operations, transportation, and rescue missions.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an air-cushion vehicle is “a vehicle designed to travel over water or land on a cushion of air generated by a fan or other means.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “a vehicle that is supported above a surface (such as land or water) by a cushion of air created by downwardly directed fans or propellers.”
Associations
Air-cushion vehicles are associated with various industries, including transportation, military, and rescue operations. They are used for transportation in areas where traditional vehicles cannot operate, such as swamps, marshes, and ice fields. They are also used by the military for amphibious operations and by rescue teams for search and rescue missions.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of air-cushion vehicle include hovercraft, ACV, and air-cushion craft.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for air-cushion vehicle, but traditional land and water vehicles can be considered as alternatives.
The same root words
The root words of air-cushion vehicle are “air” and “cushion.” Air refers to the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, while cushion refers to a soft object used to support or protect something.
Example Sentences
- The air-cushion vehicle glided smoothly over the water, leaving hardly any wake behind it.
- The military used air-cushion vehicles to transport troops and equipment across rivers and other water obstacles.
- The rescue team deployed an air-cushion vehicle to search for survivors in the flooded area.
- The hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle, was invented in the 1950s by British engineer Christopher Cockerell.