Balloon (>), n. [F. ballon, aug. of balle ball: cf. It. ballone. See 1st Ball, n., and cf. Pallone.]
1. A bag made of silk or other light material, and filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for aërial navigation.
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2. (Arch.) A ball or globe on the top of a pillar, church, etc., as at St. Paul's, in London. [R.]
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3. (Chem.) A round vessel, usually with a short neck, to hold or receive whatever is distilled; a glass vessel of a spherical form.
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4. (Pyrotechnics) A bomb or shell. [Obs.]
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5. A game played with a large inflated ball. [Obs.]
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6. (Engraving) The outline inclosing words represented as coming from the mouth of a pictured figure.
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Air balloon, a balloon for aërial navigation. -- Balloon frame (Carp.), a house frame constructed altogether of small timber. -- Balloon net, a variety of woven lace in which the weft threads are twisted in a peculiar manner around the warp.
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