autorotation
|au-to-ro-ta-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtəroʊˈteɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtəʊrəˈteɪʃən/
self-rotation (of a rotor)
Etymology
'autorotation' is a compound formed in English from the combining form 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos', meaning 'self') and the noun 'rotation' (from Latin 'rotatio', from 'rotare', meaning 'to turn').
'auto-' originates from Greek 'autos' and was adopted into English as a productive prefix in modern scientific/technical coinages; 'rotation' comes from Latin 'rotatio'/'rotare' and passed into Middle English via Old French/Latin. The compound 'autorotation' arose in the 20th century as aviation terminology, combining these elements to mean 'self-rotation'.
Initially a literal compound meaning 'self-rotation', the term evolved in aviation to refer specifically to the rotor behavior and emergency descent technique associated with helicopters.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the condition in which the rotor of a helicopter (or similar rotary-wing aircraft) is turned by the action of relative airflow rather than engine power; often used to describe the state of rotation after loss of engine torque.
After the engine failed, the pilot maintained rotor rpm by entering autorotation.
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Noun 2
a specific emergency flight technique and controlled descent/landing in helicopters that uses the airflow through the rotor to keep blades turning when engine power is lost.
Student pilots practice autorotation landings until they can perform them reliably.
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Last updated: 2025/11/28 10:54