Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
alt. (context countable English) A mechanical device rotate around one axis and attached to an elevated object such as a roof for showing the direction of the wind. n. (context countable English) A mechanical device rotate around one axis and attached to an elevated object such as a roof for showing the direction of the wind.
WordNet
n. mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind [syn: weathervane, vane, wind vane]
Wikipedia
A weather vane, wind vane, or weathercock is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. They are typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building.
Although partly functional, weather vanes are generally decorative, often featuring the traditional cockerel design with letters indicating the points of the compass. Other common motifs include ships, arrows and horses. Not all weather vanes have pointers.
The word 'vane' comes from the Old English word fana meaning 'flag'.
Usage examples of "weather vane".
The Object lived on Tonnacour, in a gray stone and clapboard house with a weather vane.
The many-tiered marzipan-covered fruit cake had been topped by a weather vane, delicately executed in spun sugar.
The furious claws almost lifted Matthias from the weather vane as the King gripped the belt, trying to drag it ofFhim.
The enormous leverage of the stay-sail, applied to the bowsprit, began to swing the Hotspur round like a weather vane.
Wesson and went back outside, to vent a little of his venom on the unfortunate weather vane.
She was telling him a cupola and a weather vane would be a waste because the barn was going to burn, and it did.
It proved an interesting turning: a wide, tree-lined street with handsome old dwellings behind elegant fences of wood or iron pickets, here a stone mounting step at the curb, there a stylish gilded weather vane atop a cupola.