| pontoon | 1. A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder, or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc, forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops. 2. A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc, chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter. Pontoon bridge, a bridge formed with pontoons. Pontoon train, the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge. The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but pontoon is more common form. Origin: F. Ponton (cf. It. Pontone), from L. Ponto, -onis, fr. Pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr. Path, Skr. Path, pathi, panthan. Cf. Punt a boat. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| pony | Origin: Gael. Ponaidh. 1. A small horse. 2. Twenty-five pounds sterling. 3. A translation or a key used to avoid study in getting lessons; a crib. 4. A small glass of beer. Pony chaise, a light, low chaise, drawn by a pony or a pair of ponies. Pony engine, a small locomotive for switching cars from one track to another. Pony truck, a truss which has so little height that overhead bracing can not be used. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |