Glidepath
/ˈɡlaɪdˌpæθ/noun
A descending flight path used by aircraft during landing, especially on an instrument approach.
Did you know?Glidepath is a modern aviation compound, so it doesn’t hide an ancient spell or curse—but its power comes from engineering language turning motion into a controlled ritual of descent.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
glīdan
“to move smoothly, slip, or slide”
Old English
OE
pæth
“a path, road, or course”
Middle English
ME
gliden
“to move gently or smoothly”
Middle English
ME
pathe
“a path or way”
20th Century
English
glide path
“an aviation term for the correct descending approach angle to a runway”