Airdrop
/ˈɛrˌdrɑp/noun
The delivery of people, supplies, or equipment by dropping them from an aircraft.
Did you know?Airdrops became strategically important during World War II, when aircraft delivered food, weapons, and medical supplies to forces and civilians cut off on the ground.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀήρ (aēr)
“Air or the lower atmosphere; the source of English air.”
Classical Antiquity
Latin
aer
“Air or atmosphere, borrowed from Greek.”
Old English
Old English
dropian
“To drop or fall in drops; the Germanic source of drop.”
13th Century
Middle English
air
“The atmosphere surrounding the earth, borrowed through Old French from Latin aer.”
14th Century
Middle English
drop
“To fall or let fall, continuing the Old English Germanic verb and noun.”
20th Century
English
airdrop
“A compound formed from air and drop, referring to delivering people or supplies from an aircraft.”