different between steeringwheel vs rudder

English

Etymology

From Middle English rodder, rother, ruder, from Old English r?þor (“oar, rudder”), from Proto-West Germanic *r?þr, from Proto-Germanic *r?þr? (“oar, rudder”) (compare Dutch and West Frisian roer, German Ruder), from Proto-Germanic *r?an?, from Proto-Indo-European *h?reh?- (“to row”) + Proto-Germanic *-þr?, *-þraz, instrumental suffix. Akin to Old English r?wan (“to row”). More at r?wan, -þor.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???d?(?)/
• (US) IPA^(key): /???d?/
• Rhymes: -?d?(r)

Noun

rudder (plural rudders)

1. (nautical) 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. (aeronautics) 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. (figuratively) That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.
   • Hudibras

     For rhyme the rudder is of verses.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• tiller

Middle English

Noun

rudder

1. Alternative form of rother (“bovine”)