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zeppelin

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈzɛpɪɫɪn// UK //zˈɛpɪlˌɪn// zep·pelin Archaic Informal Slang

n. a large, long aircraft that stays in the air using gas and has a hard metal frame inside. It looks like a giant cigar and was popular for travel a long time ago.

n. a large, rigid airship consisting of a fabric-covered framework containing individual gas cells. Named after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, it is distinguished from non-rigid blimps by its internal structural skeleton.


SIMPLE

The zeppelin floated slowly across the cloudy sky.

CONTEXTUAL

During the early twentieth century, the zeppelin was considered the future of luxury long-distance air travel.

COMPLEX

The era of the commercial zeppelin effectively ended following high-profile accidents and the rapid advancement of fixed-wing aircraft technology which proved more efficient for global transport.

Origin

Borrowed from German Zeppelin. Named after Ferdinand von Zeppelin, whose surname derives from the German town name Zepelin. Doublet of cepelinas.

Usage

Often used as a proper noun (Zeppelin) when referring specifically to the German manufacturing company or its specific models.

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