fuselage
UK: ˈfjuːzəlɑːʒ | US: ˈfjuːzəlɑːʒ
n. the main body of an aircraft, excluding the wings, tail, and engines.
fuselage = fusel<spindle-shaped> + age<noun suffix denoting a collective or structure>
- fusel (from French fuselé, meaning "spindle-shaped," derived from Latin fusus "spindle")
- age (a noun-forming suffix in French, indicating a functional or structural whole, as in "voyage" or "baggage")
Etymology Origin:
The word fuselage entered English in the early 20th century from French aviation terminology. It originally described the streamlined, spindle-shaped body of early aircraft, reflecting its Latin root fusus (spindle). The suffix -age generalizes it as a structural unit. Over time, it became the standard term for an aircraft's central frame, retaining its focus on form and function.
The fuselage of the plane was severely damaged in the crash.
Engineers inspected the fuselage for cracks after the rough landing.
The new design reduces weight while strengthening the fuselage.
Passengers boarded through a door near the rear of the fuselage.
The fuselage’s aerodynamic shape improves fuel efficiency.