Category:Balloon

Bal*loon", n. Etym: [F. ballon, aug. of balle ball: cf. It. ballone. See 1st Ball, n., and cf. Pallone.]

1. A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for aërial navigation.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London. [R.]

3. (Chem.)

Defn: A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form.

4. (Pyrotechnics)

Defn: A bomb or shell. [Obs.]

5. A game played with a large inf [Obs.]

6. (Engraving)

Defn: The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure. Air balloon, a balloon for aërial navigation.

-- Balloon frame (Carp.), a house frame constructed altogether of small timber.

-- Balloon net, a variety of woven lace in which the weft threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp.

Bal*loon", v. t.

Defn: To take up in, or as if in, a balloon.

Bal*loon", v. i.

1. To go up or voyage in a balloon.

2. To expand, or puff out, like a balloon.