weather vane
Definition
Noun: A weather vane is a mechanical device, often shaped like an arrow or a rooster, that is mounted on a high point of a building (like a roof or a spire). It rotates freely on a vertical rod to point into the direction from which the wind is blowing, thus indicating the wind direction.
Usage
The term "weather vane" is used to describe the specific instrument for showing wind direction. It is a compound noun, but its meaning is treated as a single concept. * The old barn has a rusty weather vane in the shape of a horse on its roof. * Sailors of the past would look at the ship's weather vane to gauge the wind.
Examples
- The weather vane on the church steeple spun wildly in the storm.
- Before modern forecasts, farmers relied on a weather vane to read the wind.
- We could tell a north wind was blowing because the weather vane was pointing south.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person or organization that frequently changes position or opinion to align with the prevailing trend or popular sentiment.
- The politician was accused of being a political weather vane, shifting his stance with every new poll.
Variants and Related Words
- Vane: A shorter, more general term for a flat blade or surface that rotates or is moved by wind or water (e.g., a windmill vane, a turbine vane). "Weather vane" is the most common specific use.
- Wind vane: A synonym for "weather vane," often used in more technical or meteorological contexts.
- Weathercock: A traditional term for a weather vane, specifically one shaped like a rooster.
Synonyms
- Wind vane
- Weathercock (specifically for a rooster-shaped vane)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- (As) changeable as a weather vane: An idiom describing a person whose opinions, loyalties, or moods change very frequently and easily.
- You can't trust his opinion; he's as changeable as a weather vane.
Noun
-
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
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