Definition
A system that prevents ice from forming on an aircraft windshield in flight, typically by heating the windshield electrically or by applying a chemical fluid to its outer surface. Anti-icing is preventive — it is turned on before icing conditions are encountered to keep ice from forming, as opposed to de-icing, which removes ice after it has already formed.
Plain English
A built-in system that stops ice from forming on the windshield, so the pilot keeps a clear view forward. It is switched on before flying into icing conditions, not after ice has already built up.
Context Anchor
Seen in icing procedures, aircraft system descriptions, and cockpit anti-ice controls for flight in cold, wet conditions.
Derivation
Anti- comes from the Greek for 'against,' and icing simply means the forming of ice. Together: 'against the forming of ice' — a system designed to stop ice before it starts, rather than remove it afterward.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains forward visibility needed for safe navigation, traffic avoidance, and landing when flying in clouds or precipitation that can cause icing.
Grounding Statement
Picture flying in clouds below freezing: windshield anti-icing keeps the viewing area usable instead of letting ice slowly cover it.
Intuition Check
Do not read “anti-icing” as the same thing as removing ice after it has built up. Here it means preventing or limiting ice buildup on the windshield before it blocks the pilot’s view.
Example Sentence 1
Before entering the cloud layer, the pilot turned on the windshield anti-icing to keep the forward view clear.
Example Sentence 2
During winter preflight, the checklist calls for verifying that windshield anti-icing is working properly.