(sûr′fəs-ĭ-fĕkt′)n. A vessel having a rigid hull like that of a catamaran, which is lifted partly out of the water on a cushion of pressurized air in the manner of a hovercraft.
surface-effect ship
surface-effect ship
[′sər·fəs i¦fekt ‚ship] (mechanical engineering) A transportation device with fixed side walls, which is supported by low-pressure, low-velocity air and operates on water only.