gondola
gondola Lexical Profile
gondola Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A traditional, long, narrow, flat-bottomed rowing boat used on the canals of Venice, typically propelled by a single person standing at the stern.
"The couple hired a gondola to take a romantic evening ride through the canals of Venice."
An enclosed cabin or car suspended from a cable, used to transport passengers up a mountain or across a scenic area.
"Skiers boarded the gondola to reach the summit of the mountain before the first snowfall."
The basket, car, or compartment suspended beneath a hot-air balloon or airship, designed to carry passengers, crew, or scientific instruments.
"The explorers waved from the gondola of their hot-air balloon as they drifted higher into the sky."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Italian 'gondola', originating in Venetian. Its earlier roots are uncertain, possibly deriving from Byzantine Greek 'kontoura' (a short-tailed boat) or from Latin 'cuncula' (a small shell).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.