Aeronaut
/ˈɛə.rə.nɔːt/noun
A person who travels in the air, especially in a balloon or other aircraft.
Did you know?Aeronaut was coined in the late 18th century during the ballooning craze, borrowing the ancient Greek root *nautēs* (“sailor”) that also hides inside *astronaut* and *nautical*.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
aēr
“air, lower atmosphere”
Ancient Greek
Greek
nautēs
“sailor, seaman”
Late 18th Century
English
aeronaut
“a person who sails or travels through the air, especially in a balloon”
19th Century
English
aeronaut
“an operator or passenger in early air travel”
Modern English
English
aeronaut
“a person who flies or travels in the air”