Skillful flying maneuvers performed by aircraft, including loops, rolls, and spins, often done for entertainment or competition.
From aero- (air) + -batics (from acrobatics), combining Greek aero- with the gymnastic term batics; coined in early 1900s to describe daring aerial stunts.
The word 'aerobatics' literally borrowed 'acrobatics' but replaced the 'ac' with 'aero' — it's like someone thought 'if acrobatics is ground gymnastics, why not aero-gymnastics for the sky?' The term exploded during the 1920s barnstorming era when daring pilots would perform death-defying tricks to earn money.
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