Balloon clock
a bracket clock of the late 18th century, having a round dial on a short case with concave sides resting on bracket feet.
Read Also:
- Balloonfish
a porcupinefish, Diodon holacanthus, inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters.
- Balloon frame
a wooden building frame composed of machine-sawed scantlings fastened with nails, having studs rising the full height of the frame with the joists nailed to the studs and supported by sills or by ribbons let into the studs. Historical Examples They are built of wood, balloon frame, with a plain pitch roof, without ornament. Woodward’s […]
- Balloon glass
noun a large rounded drinking glass for brandy, etc.; also, a stemmed wine glass of this shape
- Balloon goes up, the
The undertaking begins, as in He’s going to announce his candidacy for mayor—the balloon goes up on Monday. This expression comes from World War I, when British artillery sent up a balloon to notify gunners to open fire, this visual signal being more reliable than courier or telephone. It was soon transferred to signal other […]
- Balloon payment
noun a large payment that concludes a series of smaller payments, for example in order to repay a loan