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parachute

(Encyclopedia)parachute, umbrellalike device designed to retard the descent of a falling body by creating drag as it passes through the air. The development of modern aircraft has led to many experiments in the aer...

gremlin

(Encyclopedia)gremlin, in American folklore, malicious, airborne supernatural being. Gremlins were first heard of during World War II as creatures responsible for unexplainable mechanical failures and disruptions i...

Prestwick

(Encyclopedia)Prestwick, town (1991 pop. 13,355), South Ayrshire, SW Scotland, on the Firth of Clyde. Prestwick is a seaside and golfing resort with an international airport. Light aircraft are manufactured in Pres...

Area 51

(Encyclopedia)Area 51, name for a U.S. military site, S Nev., c.80 mi (130 km) NNW of Las Vegas. Shrouded in secrecy since the mid-20th cent., it is located within the U.S. Air Force's enormous Nevada Test and Trai...

seaplane

(Encyclopedia)seaplane, airplane designed to take off from and alight on water. The two most common types are the floatplane, whose fuselage is supported by struts attached to two or more pontoon floats, and the fl...

German shepherd

(Encyclopedia)German shepherd, breed of large, muscular working dog perfected in Germany at the turn of the 20th cent. It stands about 25 in. (64 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 85 lb (27.2–38.5 kg...

ship

(Encyclopedia)ship, large craft in which persons and goods may be conveyed on water. In the U.S. Navy the term boat refers to any vessel that is small enough to be hoisted aboard a ship, and ship is used for any la...

Inver Grove Heights

(Encyclopedia)Inver Grove Heights, city (2020 pop. 36,092), Dakota co., SE Minn. A suburb of St. Paul, its manufactures include motor-vehicle and aircraft parts, asph...

Hazelwood

(Encyclopedia)Hazelwood, city (2020 pop. 25,458), St. Louis co., E. Mo., a suburb of St. Louis; inc. as a village 1949, city charter approved 1969. Manufactures inclu...

Millville

(Encyclopedia)Millville, city (1990 pop. 25,992), Cumberland co., S N.J., on the Maurice River, in a poultry, fruit, and truck-farm area; settled 1756, inc. 1866. The principal industries include aircraft engine re...