The word "plane" is spelled with the letters P, L, A, N, and E. The IPA phonetic transcription for "plane" is /pleɪn/. The first sound, /p/, is a voiceless bilabial stop; the second sound, /l/, is a voiced alveolar lateral approximant; the third sound, /eɪ/, is a diphthong consisting of a front open unrounded vowel /e/ and a near-close near-front unrounded vowel /ɪ/; and the fourth sound, /n/, is a voiced alveolar nasal. Finally, the last sound, /e/, is the same as the third sound.
A plane, in its most general sense, refers to a flat or level surface that has no curvature or unevenness. It is devoid of any vertical or horizontal incline, appearing smooth and uniform. Planes are commonly seen in geometry, where they represent a two-dimensional figure extending infinitely in all directions. These figures are often defined by three non-collinear points or a combination of point and a normal vector perpendicular to the plane. In the context of conic sections, a plane can cut a cone at different angles, resulting in different shapes such as circles, ellipses, parabolas, or hyperbolas.
Further, the concept of a plane finds utility in aviation, where it denotes an aircraft, typically powered and designed for travel through the air. These machines employ wings to generate lift, propellers or jet engines to provide thrust, and control surfaces such as flaps, ailerons, and rudders to maneuver in the three-dimensional airspace. Planes serve various purposes, including transportation of passengers, cargo, military use, or exploration.
In everyday language, the term "plane" can also refer to a level of existence or consciousness that may be difficult to perceive or access. It implies an intangible realm or dimension beyond our immediate reality.
Moreover, "plane" can be employed as a verb, signifying the act of producing a perfectly flat and smooth surface by sanding or shaving off imperfections, resulting in uniformity.
1. A flat surface; see planum. 2. An imaginary surface formed by extension through any axis or two definite points, in reference especially to craniometry and to pelvimetry.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• The plane tree.
• A carpenter's tool.
• Level; flat; even; without elevations or depressions, as the surface of water at rest; opposed to a curved surface.
• An even or level surface; a surface without curvature; an imaginary surface assumed to cut and pass through a body, or one of the supposed curves of the celestial sphere; in surv., a level surface parallel to the horizon; a tool for smoothing wood.
• To make level or smooth, as with a carpenter's plane; to free from inequalities of surface.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "plane" comes from the Old French word "plan", which in turn is derived from the Late Latin word "planum". "Planum" means "flat surface" or "level ground". The word ultimately traces back to the Latin word "plānus", meaning "flat" or "level".