Bal*loon" (?), n. [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 aerial navigation.
2. Arch.
A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London.
[R.]
3. Chem.
A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form.
4. Pyrotechnics
A bomb or shell.
[Obs.]
5.
A game played with a large infated ball.
[Obs.]
6. Engraving
The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure.
Air balloon, a balloon for aerial 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.
© Webster 1913.
Bal*loon", v. t.
To take up in, or as if in, a balloon.
© Webster 1913.
Bal*loon", v. i.
1.
To go up or voyage in a balloon.
2.
To expand, or puff out, like a balloon.
© Webster 1913.