ground-effect machine

ground-ef·fect machine

(ground′ĭ-fĕkt′)n. A hovercraft.

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[From ground effect, a peculiarity of certain aircraft when landing, in which a cushion of air directed off the wings prevents touchdown.]

hov•er•craft

(ˈhʌv ərˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft, ˈhɒv-)

n., pl. -craft. (sometimes cap.) a passenger craft that rides on a cushion of air, kept aloft by fans and driven forward by propellers. [1955–60; orig. a trademark]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ground-effect machine - a craft capable of moving over water or land on a cushion of air created by jet engineshovercraftcraft - a vehicle designed for navigation in or on water or air or through outer space