airworthy
UK[ˈeəˌwɜːði]US[ˈerˌwɜːrði]
adj
(of an aircraft) in a safe and fit condition to fly.
Morpheme Breakdown
air
worthy
air
air
worthy
deserving
Etymology
the word 'airworthy' is a modern compound, formed in the early 20th century with the advent of powered flight. it combines 'air', a term of ancient lineage tracing back to greek 'āḗr' for the lower atmosphere, with 'worthy', an old english adjective meaning 'deserving' or 'of sufficient merit'. the literal construction 'deserving of the air' or 'fit for the air' logically evolved into the specific technical and legal term used in aviation today. it denotes an aircraft's certified condition of safety and operational fitness, a concept that became essential for regulation as aviation technology advanced.
Analysis
Structure: air (air) + worthy (deserving)
air (from old french 'air', latin 'āēr', greek 'āḗr', meaning 'air, atmosphere'). worthy (from old english 'wurþe', meaning 'deserving, suitable').
Examples
the aircraft received a full inspection and was declared airworthy.
maintaining an airworthy fleet is the top priority for any airline.
the certificate confirms the plane is airworthy for the next 12 months.