Gon"do*la, n. (Aëronautics)
An elongated car under a dirigible.
Gon"do*la (?), n. [It., dim. of
gonda a gondola; cf. LL. gandeia a kind of boat, Gr.
&?; a drinking vessel; said to be a Persian word; cf. F.
gondole gondola, cup.]
1. A long, narrow boat with a high prow and
stern, used in the canals of Venice. A gondola is usually propelled
by one or two oarsmen who stand facing the prow, or by poling. A
gondola for passengers has a small open cabin amidships, for their
protection against the sun or rain. A sumptuary law of Venice
required that gondolas should be painted black, and they are
customarily so painted now.
2. A flat-bottomed boat for freight.
[U. S.]
3. A long platform car, either having no
sides or with very low sides, used on railroads. [U. S.]
Gon"do*la, n. (Aëronautics)
An elongated car under a dirigible.
