vane — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A weather vane.

2. Any of several usually relatively thin, rigid, flat, or sometimes curved surfaces radially mounted along an axis, as a blade in a turbine or a sail on a windmill, that is turned by or used to turn a fluid.

3. The flattened, web-like part of a feather, consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft.

   Synonyms

   vexillum

4. A sight on a sextant or compass.

5. One of the metal guidance or stabilizing fins attached to the tail of a bomb or other missile.

   Synonyms

   fin

Noun

1. mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind

   Synonyms

   weathervaneweather vanewind vane

   Broader terms

   mechanical device

2. a fin attached to the tail of an arrow, bomb or missile in order to stabilize or guide it

   Broader terms

   fin

3. flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water

   Synonyms

   blade

   Broader terms

   rotating mechanism

4. the flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft

   Synonyms

   web

   Broader terms

   blade