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

Related Words

• box
• crate