Word: Weather Vane
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A weather vane is a mechanical device that is usually placed on top of a building or a pole. It spins freely in the wind to show which direction the wind is blowing.
Usage Instructions: You can use "weather vane" to describe this specific object. It is often found on rooftops of houses, barns, or churches, and it can be made in many different shapes, like arrows, animals, or other designs.
Example Sentence: "The old barn had a beautiful weather vane shaped like a rooster that pointed north whenever the wind blew."
Advanced Usage: In more technical discussions, you might talk about the accuracy of weather vanes or their historical significance in weather forecasting. For instance, you could say, "The weather vane not only decorates the barn but also serves as a practical tool for farmers to gauge wind direction."
Word Variants: There are no direct variants of "weather vane," but you might come across related terms like "vane" (which can refer to any blade or flat piece designed to catch wind) or "anemometer" (a device that measures wind speed).
Different Meaning: While "weather vane" primarily refers to the device that shows wind direction, the word "vane" itself can sometimes refer to similar objects used in other contexts, like on boats or in machinery.
Synonyms: Wind vane, direction vane
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically include "weather vane." However, the concept of "changing with the wind" relates to being flexible or adaptable, which is similar to how a weather vane moves according to the wind's direction.