Airworthier

/ˈɛrwɜrðiər/ adjective

Definition

More suitable and safe for flying; meeting a higher standard of aircraft safety and readiness for flight.

Etymology

From 'airworthy' (air + worthy) formed in early 1900s aviation era + comparative suffix -er. 'Worthy' comes from Old English 'weorþ' meaning valuable or deserving.

Kelly Says

This word was literally invented by airplane engineers and pilots to describe whether their new flying machines were safe enough to take to the skies—imagine having to create completely new vocabulary as technology advanced faster than language could keep up.

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