rudder

Meaning

1. An underwater vane used to steer a vessel. The rudder is controlled by means of a wheel, tiller or other apparatus (modern vessels can be controlled even with a joystick or an autopilot).
2. A control surface on the vertical stabilizer of a fixed-wing aircraft or an autogyro. On some craft, the entire vertical stabilizer comprises the rudder. The rudder is controlled by foot-operated control pedals.
3. A riddle or sieve.
4. That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.

Synonyms

helm

drill

bow

🙇

propeller

saw

🪚

shackle

televisor

thruster

winch

maneuvering device

thrust propeller

thruster machinery compartment

steering wheel

tiller

steer

stern

tilt

handlebars

rectrix

steering oar

wheel

🛞

steering

controls

ladder

🪜

motivator

oar

rudderhead

rudder blade

rudder angle

steering gear

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹʌdə(ɹ)/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: rodder

Inherited from Old English: rōþor

Cognate with German: Ruder

Cognate with Old English: rōwan

In summary

From Middle English rodder, rother, ruder, from Old English rōþor (“oar, rudder”), from Proto-West Germanic *rōþr, from Proto-Germanic *rōþrą (“oar, rudder”) (compare Dutch and West Frisian roer, German Ruder), from Proto-Germanic *rōaną, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (“to row”) + Proto-Germanic *-þrą, *-þraz, instrumental suffix. Akin to Old English rōwan (“to row”). More at rōwan, -þor.