machmeter
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Definition
- Noun:
- An instrument that indicates the speed of an aircraft relative to the speed of sound: A machmeter is a flight instrument that displays the aircraft's Mach number, which is the ratio of the aircraft's true airspeed to the local speed of sound.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The pilot checked the machmeter to ensure the jet was not exceeding its maximum operating speed.
- A reliable machmeter is essential for high-speed flight in the transonic and supersonic regimes.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: In aviation, the term is used specifically for the cockpit instrument. The reading is crucial for aircraft performance and safety at high speeds.
- Engineers calibrated the machmeter to provide accurate readings at various altitudes.
Variants and Related Words
- Mach number (n): The dimensionless quantity representing the ratio of speed to the speed of sound, which the machmeter displays.
- A Mach number of 1.0 indicates the aircraft is traveling at the speed of sound.
Synonyms
- Airspeed indicator (contextual): While a standard airspeed indicator shows indicated airspeed, a machmeter is a specialized type for showing Mach number. They are related but not perfect synonyms.
Notes
- The word is a compound noun formed from "Mach" (named after physicist Ernst Mach) and "meter" (a measuring instrument). It refers specifically to the measuring device itself.
Noun
- speedometer for measuring the speed of an aircraft relative to the speed of sound