wingtip
Meaning
The outer end of an aircraft's wing
A style of formal shoe with a pointed toe and a pattern of small holes
Structure
Usage
The aircraft's wingtips are fitted with special lights for visibility.
He wore a classic pair of black leather wingtips to the interview.
The bird's distinctive feathers at the wingtip help with maneuverability in flight.
Etymology
The word 'wingtip' is a transparent English compound formed from two native Germanic nouns. 'Wing' originates from Old Norse 'vængr', related to the act of moving through air, while 'tip' derives from Old Norse 'typpi', meaning the extremity of something. The compound first logically described the farthest point of a bird's or aircraft's wing. In the 20th century, this literal term was borrowed into fashion to name a style of brogue shoe where the decorative perforated pattern extends to the toe cap, visually resembling the outline of a bird's wingtip from above.
Analysis
wing (Old English, functional role: base noun meaning a limb for flight); tip (Middle English, functional role: base noun meaning a point or end)