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.
雙語例句
1. They floated the trial balloon of actually cutting Social Security.
他們推出了真正削減社會保障的試行方案。
來自柯林斯例句
2. It wasn't a balloon — I'm certain of that.
那不是氣球，這點我敢肯定。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The world's first transatlantic balloon race ended in chaos last night.
昨晚世界第一屆跨大西洋熱氣球比賽在一片混亂中收場。
來自柯林斯例句
4. A balloon popped, sounding like a gunshot.
一只氣球爆裂了，聽著像是槍響。
來自柯林斯例句
5. That balloon will burst if you blow it up any more.