Plain English Meaning

A wing that holds itself up from the inside, without any external supports running from the wing to the fuselage.

Full Definition

A wing design that is supported entirely by its own internal structure, with no external bracing such as struts or wires. The wing is attached to the fuselage at the root and carries all flight loads through its internal spars, ribs, and skin.

Context Anchor

Seen in aircraft design descriptions, especially when comparing wings with external struts to wings that have a clean, unbraced shape.

Derivation

From an old English building term meaning a beam fixed at one end and unsupported at the other -- like a shelf bracket sticking out from a wall. The use carries the same idea: the wing is anchored only at the fuselage and extends outward without further support.