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 aërial 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 inflated ball.
[Obs.]
6. (Engraving) 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. 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.
