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

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

It was cylindrical in form with conical ends, and is of interest because a small balloon or ballonet, 7,050 cubic feet contents, was placed inside the larger one for an air filling.

From British Airships, Past, Present, and Future by Whale, George

The magneto was run by a belt from one of the ballonet blowers.

From The War in the Air; Vol. 1 The Part played in the Great War by the Royal Air Force by Raleigh, Walter Alexander, Sir

One central ballonet instead of the usual two.

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

Each ballonet is theoretically proof against leakage--in practice there is an almost inappreciable porosity, which hardly counts for a comparatively short period, say a month.

From The Airship "Golden Hind" by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)