Word Study
nacelle
CIDE DICTIONARY
nacelle, n. [F.].
- A small boat. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
- The basket suspended from a balloon; hence, the framework forming the body of a dirigible balloon, and containing the machinery, passengers, etc. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
- A streamlined enclosure on an airplane, as for the engine or for the cargo or passengers; -- formerly used to refer to the boatlike, inclosed body of an airplane which is usually now called the
fuselage , and now referring mostly to the enclosure for the engine. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
nacelle, n.
1 the outer casing of the engine of an aircraft.
2 the car of an airship.
1 the outer casing of the engine of an aircraft.
2 the car of an airship.
Etymology
F, f. LL navicella dimin. of L navis ship
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