ballonet

American  

[bal-uh-ney] / ˌbæl əˈneɪ /

noun

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

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ballonet British  

/ ˌbæləˈnɛt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of ballonet

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

Example Sentences

The envelope is a rigid one of aluminium, subdivided into forty-nine compartments, each of which contains a flexible ballonet.

From The Airship "Golden Hind" by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

One ballonet was contained in the envelope which, at first, had three inflated fins to act as stabilizers.

From British Airships, Past, Present, and Future by Whale, George

It appears to be rearing up on end, as if the extremity saddled with the ballonet were weighted.

From Aeroplanes and Dirigibles of War by Talbot, Frederick Arthur Ambrose

The ballonet which had failed him in "No. V." was perfected in its successor.

From Aircraft and Submarines The Story of the Invention, Development, and Present-Day Uses of War's Newest Weapons by Abbot, Willis J. (Willis John)

This class rise with the forward ballonet empty, and inclined up by the bow.

From Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1913 by Various