1570s, "a game played with a large inflated leather ball," from Italian pallone "large ball," from palla "ball," from a Germanic source akin to Langobardic palla (from Proto-Germanic *ball-, from PIE *bhel- (2) "to blow, swell;" see bole) + -one, suffix indicating great size.
Perhaps also borrowed in part from French ballon (16c.), altered (after balle) from Italian pallone. It also meant the ball itself (1590s), which was batted back and forth by means of large wooden paddles strapped to the forearms. In 17c., it also meant "a type of fireworks housed in a pasteboard ball" (1630s) and "round ball used as an architectural ornament" (1650s). Acquired modern meaning after Montgolfier brothers' flights, 1783. As a child's toy, it is attested from 1848; as "outline containing words in a comic engraving" it dates from 1844. Also see -oon.
balloon (v.)
"to go up in a balloon," 1792; "to swell, puff up," 1841, from balloon (n.). Related: Ballooned; ballooning.
双语例句
1. They floated the trial balloon of actually cutting Social Security.
他们推出了真正削减社会保障的试行方案。
来自柯林斯例句
2. It wasn't a balloon — I'm certain of that.
那不是气球，这点我敢肯定。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The world's first transatlantic balloon race ended in chaos last night.
昨晚世界第一届跨大西洋热气球比赛在一片混乱中收场。
来自柯林斯例句
4. A balloon popped, sounding like a gunshot.
一只气球爆裂了，听着像是枪响。
来自柯林斯例句
5. That balloon will burst if you blow it up any more.