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.
例文
1. They floated the trial balloon of actually cutting Social Security.
彼らは社会保障を本格的に削減する試案を出した。
2.It wasn 't a balloon —I 'm certain of that.
それは風船ではありません。これは間違いありません。
3.The world 's first transatlantic balloon race ended in chaos last night.
昨夜の世界第1回大西洋横断熱気球試合は混乱の中で終わった。
4.A balloon popped,sounding like a gunshot.
風船が破裂し、銃声のように聞こえた。dd>
5.That balloon will burst if you blow it up any more.