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)

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

The chief interest in his design, though it never materialized, lies in the fact that it provided for a double envelope and was the precursor of the ballonet.

From Aviation in Peace and War by Sykes, Frederick Hugh, Sir

One central ballonet instead of the usual two.

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

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