noun
canard
A small wing ahead of an aircraft's main wings.
A small canard projects ahead of the aircraft's main wing.
Etymology
French canard means duck. The name was applied to aircraft with a forward lifting surface and then to that surface itself, preserving the aircraft’s bird-inspired designation.
More examples
- The designer adjusted the canard to improve control.
- The prototype used two forward canards.
- Air flowed over the canard before reaching the main wings.
Forms
canard · canards
Similar words
- tailplane
- A horizontal stabilizing surface located at the rear, unlike a forward canard.