windvane
|wind-vane|
/ˈwɪndˌveɪn/
indicates wind direction
Etymology
'windvane' originates from English, formed as a compound of 'wind' and 'vane'; 'wind' comes from Old English 'wind' meaning 'moving air', and 'vane' comes from Old English 'fana' meaning 'flag'.
'windvane' changed from Middle English forms such as 'windfane' or 'wind vane' and eventually became the modern English word 'windvane'.
Initially it meant 'a flag-like object driven by the wind', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an instrument that shows wind direction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a device or pointer mounted so it can rotate freely and indicate the direction of the wind; a weathervane.
The old windvane on the barn roof pointed toward the north.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/15 19:50