drone
UK: drəʊn | US: droʊn
n. 1. A continuous low humming sound.
n. 2. A male bee, especially one that does no work but mates with the queen.
n. 3. An unmanned aircraft or ship guided by remote control or onboard computers.
vi. To make a continuous low humming sound.
The word "drone" originates from Old English drān, meaning "male bee," likely imitative of the insect's buzzing sound. By the 16th century, it extended to describe a monotonous humming noise, reflecting the sound of bees in flight. The modern sense of "unmanned aircraft" (early 20th century) metaphorically borrows from the bee's passive role and the mechanical hum of early prototypes. The semantic progression ties the natural world (bee behavior) to technological innovation.
The drone of the engine made it hard to concentrate.
Male drones die after mating with the queen bee.
The military uses drones for surveillance and targeted strikes.
Bees droned lazily in the summer heat.
She adjusted the controls to land the drone safely.