The basket suspended from a balloon; hence, the framework forming the body of a dirigible balloon, and containing the machinery, passengers, etc.
3.
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.
... onde tranquille, Voguant soir et matin, Ma nacelle est docile Au souffle du destin. La voile s'enfie-t-elle, J'abandonne le bord. (O doux zephir, sois-moi fidele!) Eh! vogue, ma ... — The King's Highway • G. P. R. James
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