ballonet

[bal-uh-ney]

noun

an air or gasbag compartment in a balloon or airship, used to control buoyancy and maintain shape.

Origin of ballonet

From French, dating back to 1900–05; see origin at balloon, -et

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ballonet

Historical Examples of ballonet

The magneto was run by a belt from one of the ballonet blowers.
The War in the Air; Vol. 1
Walter Raleigh.
There are two noteworthy innovations in connection with the ballonet.
Jane's All the World's Aircraft
Various
Special features is a "belly" of Para rubber in lieu of a ballonet.
Jane's All the World's Aircraft
Various
The air pump, which should have pumped the ballonet full of air to keep the balloon rigid failed to work.
Aircraft and Submarines
Willis J. Abbot.
(p. 067) The balloon frame was divided into seventeen compartments, each of which held a ballonet filled with hydrogen gas.
Aircraft and Submarines
Willis J. Abbot.

British Dictionary definitions for ballonet

ballonet

noun

an air or gas compartment in a balloon or nonrigid airship, used to control buoyancy and shape

Word Origin for ballonet

C20: from French ballonnet a little balloon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012