weathervane
Definition
Noun: A weathervane is a mechanical device, often decorative in design, that is attached to a high point on a building or structure. It rotates freely on a vertical rod or spindle to indicate the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Usage
The word weathervane is used to describe the specific instrument for showing wind direction. It is a compound noun, but it functions as a single lexical unit. It is typically used in singular form. * It is common to see a weathervane on the roof of a barn, church, or house. * The primary function of a weathervane is meteorological, though many are valued as folk art.
Examples
- The old farmhouse had a rooster-shaped weathervane on its cupola.
- Before checking the forecast, he looked at the weathervane to see if the wind was coming from the east.
- The spinning weathervane signaled a shift in the weather pattern.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: In politics or public opinion, a weathervane can metaphorically describe a person or institution that frequently changes position to align with the prevailing trend or popular sentiment.
- Example: The senator was accused of being a political weathervane, always shifting his stance to match the polls.
Variants and Related Words
- Vane: A shorter, more general term for a flat blade that rotates or is moved by wind or water (e.g., a turbine vane). In the context of wind direction, "vane" is often understood to mean "weathervane."
- Wind Vane: A more technical or generic synonym for weathervane, commonly used in meteorological contexts.
- Weathercock: A specific type of weathervane traditionally shaped like a rooster.
Synonyms
- Wind vane
- Weathercock (specifically a rooster-shaped vane)
Idioms and Phrases
- (As) changeable as a weathervane: An idiom used to describe a person whose opinions, loyalties, or moods change very frequently and easily.
- Example: You can't trust his advice; he's as changeable as a weathervane.
Noun
-
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
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