balloonet
|bal-loon-et|
/bəˈluːnɛt/
internal small airbag for pressure control
Etymology
'balloonet' originates from French, specifically the word 'ballonnet', where the suffix '-et' served as a diminutive meaning 'small'.
'balloonet' changed from French 'ballonnet' (a diminutive of 'ballon') and entered English in relation to 'balloon', eventually becoming the technical English term 'balloonet'.
Initially it meant 'a small balloon' (a diminutive of 'balloon'), but over time it evolved into the technical sense 'an internal airbag used in larger balloons or airships' used in aeronautics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small internal airbag or chamber inside a larger gas balloon or airship that can be inflated or deflated to regulate pressure, maintain shape, and help control buoyancy or stability.
The crew adjusted the balloonet during descent to keep the airship's envelope properly pressurized.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/07 03:50