nacelle

[ nuh-sel ]

noun

1. the enclosed part of an airplane, dirigible, etc., in which the engine is housed or in which cargo or passengers are carried.
2. the car of a balloon.

nacelle

/ nəˈsɛl /

noun

1. a streamlined enclosure on an aircraft, not part of the fuselage, to accommodate an engine, passengers, crew, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of nacelle¹

1475–85; < French: a small boat < Late Latin nāvicella, for Latin nāvicula, equivalent to nāvi ( s ) ship ( nave ) + -cula -cule ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nacelle¹

C20: from French: small boat, from Late Latin nāvicella, a diminutive of Latin nāvis ship

Example Sentences

The point C is the centre of the propeller, or, in the case of a "pusher" aeroplane, the centre of the nacelle.

From Project Gutenberg

Nacelle—That part of an aeroplane containing the engine and pilot and passenger, and to which the tail plane is not fixed.

From Project Gutenberg

Then his glances fell upon the aviator just on the point of stepping from the nacelle, or cockpit.

From Project Gutenberg

The Astra-Torres type are also non-rigid, but of trefoil section with a short nacelle.

From Project Gutenberg

The blood from his wound spurted all over the nacelle, obscuring the instruments, and in addition his machine caught fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• box
• crate