Concorde

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A supersonic passenger airplane designed to fly faster than the speed of sound; an agreement or harmony between people or groups; an element symbolizing peace or unity
  2. A high-speed aircraft capable of traveling at supersonic speeds; a state of agreement or peaceful coexistence among parties; a concept representing concord or mutual accord
  3. An iconic supersonic jet developed for fast transatlantic flights; the condition of getting along well and reaching consensus; a symbol of harmony and collaboration

Etymology: The name "Concorde" is famously associated with the supersonic passenger airliner developed in the 1960s by a joint venture between British and French aerospace companies. The choice of this term was deliberate, reflecting the spirit of cooperation and harmony between the two nations. The word itself comes from the Latin "concordia," meaning "agreement" or "harmony," which is fitting given the collaborative nature of the aircraft's creation. In Latin, "concordia" is formed from "con-" meaning "with" and "cor," "cordis," meaning "heart." Thus, it literally means "hearts together," or being of one heart. This idea of unity and agreement made the name an apt symbol for a project that bridged national borders and technological expertise to achieve a groundbreaking advance in aviation. The spelling "Concorde" with an "e" at the end reflects the French form of the word, which retains this final letter as a marker of its feminine gender in French grammar. The British opted to keep the same spelling, underscoring the equal partnership in the venture rather than anglicizing the name to "Concord." The aircraft first took flight in 1969 and entered commercial service in 1976. Beyond the aircraft, the root concept of "concord" or "concorde" has been used in English since the Middle Ages to denote peaceful agreement or harmony between people or states. However, the supersonic jet gave the word a new dimension, connecting it to speed, technology, and modernity, while still maintaining the original sense of unity and accord that inspired its name.

Synonyms: agreement, accord, harmony, consensus

Antonyms: discord, disagreement, conflict, dissonance, disunity