Delta (pronounced del-tuh)
(1) The fourth letter of the Modern Greek
alphabet (Δ, δ).
(2) The
consonant sound represented by this letter.
(3) The
fourth in a series of items.
(4) Anything
triangular, an allusion to the Greek capital delta (Δ).
(5) In mathematics, an incremental change in a variable, as Δ or δ.
(6) A
nearly flat plain of alluvial deposit between diverging branches of the mouth
of a river, often, though not necessarily, triangular.
(7) A word
used in communications to represent the letter D (usually initial capital letter); Used
in the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) radiotelephony spelling
alphabet (usually known as the NATO phonetic alphabet).
(8) In astronomy, a star that is usually the fourth brightest of a
constellation (initial capital letter).
(9) In computing, a small but noticeable effect
or the set of differences between two versions of a file; in informal use, a small but noticeable effect.
(10) In surveying, the angle subtended at the
centre of a circular arc.
(11) A type of cargo bike that has one wheel in
front and two in back.
(12) In electrical engineering (often
attributive), the closed figure produced by connecting three coils or circuits
successively, end for end, especially in a three-phase system.
(13) In finance, the rate of change in an option
value with respect to the underlying asset's price.
(14) In chemistry, a value in delta notation
indicating the relative abundances of isotopes or relating to or characterizing a polypeptide chain that
is one of five types of heavy chains present in immunoglobins.
(15) In aerodynamics, a type of wing.
(16) The NATO code name
for a class of Soviet nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine armed with sixteen
multi-warhead missiles.
(17) In physics, of or
characterizing the atom or radical group that is fourth in position from the
functional group of atoms in an organic molecule.
(18) In US Space Force
use, a unit, nominally headed by a colonel, equivalent to a USAF operations
wing, or an army regiment.
(19) In electrical engineering, the closed figure
produced by connecting three coils or circuits successively, end for end,
especially in a three-phase system.
Circa
1200: From the Middle English deltha
from the Latin delta from the Ancient Greek δέλτα (délta), from the Phoenician dalet & daleth (tent door). It was akin
to the Hebrew dāleth. It was the fourth letter of the Greek
alphabet (equivalent to the Modern English D) and was shaped like a triangle (Δ). The sense of a delta being a "triangular
island or alluvial tract between the diverging branches of the mouth of a great
river" is because the Ancient Greek writer Herodotus (circa 484–circa 425
BC) used it to describe the mouth of the Nile River (now known as the Nile
Delta). That was picked up in English during
the 1550s and applied to other river mouths (often of quite different shapes)
by 1790. The related forms are deltaic
and deltification. In pre-modern
medicine, the deltoid muscle (the large muscle of the shoulder; triangular,
resembling the Greek letter delta) was described in 1758, the name from the
Ancient Greek deltoeides (triangular,
literally "shaped like the letter delta).
In modern use, the "deltoid muscle" gained the short-form “delts”
in 1977. The related form is deltoidal.
The
delta-wing
In aviation, the delta shape pre-dated
aircraft by centuries, triangular stabilizing fins for rockets described in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the first lifting wing in delta form
patented in 1867 for use by a dart-shaped, rocket-propelled airplane. However, although there were prototypes and
much theoretical work was done during the first half of the twentieth century,
it wasn’t until the late-1940s when jet propulsion made possible high-speed
subsonic and supersonic flight that it was possible to build airframes which
could take advantages of the delta-wing’s unique properties.
The delta form offers structural advantages and aerodynamic
characteristics suited to the fluid dynamics of airflow in supersonic
conditions. To suit different
applications, design variations have evolved, with and without additional
stabilizing surfaces. The long root
chord of the delta wing and minimal structure outboard is inherently
structurally efficient, able to be built stronger and stiffer yet lighter than
a swept wing of equivalent lifting capability.
It’s thus simple and relatively inexpensive to build.
The long root chord also allows a
deeper structure for a given aerofoil section, providing more internal volume
for fuel and other storage without a significant increase in drag although, on
supersonic designs, designers often take the opportunity to use a thinner
aerofoil instead, thereby further reducing drag. Usefully, the large root chord also provides
a large surface area which assists in reducing the minimum speed; a low landing
speed being a design objective in most military and civil applications. Delta wings can be designed to induce vortex
lift, so flow separation can be turned into a means of increasing lift and the
whole structure is naturally stable in pitch, therefore not requiring a
separate tail surface.
There are drawbacks. The large wing area creates more viscous drag for the same amount of lift compared to a high aspect ratio wing; swept wings have a better lift-to-drag ratio than deltas. Also, high-lift devices like fowler flaps are hard to integrate into delta wings with the rearward location of the trailing edge producing intolerable pitching moments when such flaps would be deflected. In short, delta wings are superior only in supersonic flight; their best known design probably the Anglo-French Concorde.
Lindsay Lohan in delta skirts.
A delta skirt is characterized by its triangular shape, an allusion to the Greek letter delta (Δ); almost always, a delta skirt is fitted at the waist, flaring out towards the hem, creating the triangular silhouette. The concept is adaptable and can be made from just about any fabric, the most popular including cotton, taffeta, silk and a variety of other synthetics. Delta skirts tend to be shorter because to produce the triangular effect as length increases either some sort of internal structure is required or additional material needs to be used, increasing bulk and weight. Although most associated with younger women, they have been adopted by a number sub-sets from the anime aesthetic, Goths and bohemians to hippies.
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