Yaw
WordNet
noun
(1) An erratic deflection from an intended course
verb
(2) Swerve off course momentarily
"The ship yawed when the huge waves hit it"
(3) Deviate erratically from a set course
"The yawing motion of the ship"
(4) Be wide open
"The deep gaping canyon"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- The rotation of an aircraft, ship, or missile about its vertical axis so as to cause the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, ship, or missile to deviate from the flight line or heading in its horizontal plane.
- The angle between the longitudinal axis of a projectile at any moment and the tangent to the trajectory in the corresponding point of flight of the projectile.
- An act of yawing.
- A vessel's motion rotating about the vertical axis, so the bow yaws from side to side; a characteristic of unsteadiness.
- The extent of yawing, the rotation angle about the vertical axis
- the yaw of an aircraft