noun
wake
The disturbed trail left behind by a moving object.
The speedboat leaves a foamy wake as it crosses the lake.
Etymology
The older word concerns an opening in water-covered ice. The nautical sense developed for the disturbed open trail behind a moving vessel.
More examples
- Passing boats send wakes rolling toward the dock.
- The airplane leaves a turbulent wake in the air.
- The storm leaves flooded streets in its wake.
Forms
wake · wakes
Similar words
- trail
- Any path or marks left behind, not necessarily disturbed fluid.
- slipstream
- Specifically a current of air behind a moving object.