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ance performed as a theatrical entertainment, or an interlude, by a number of persons, usually women. Sometimes, a scene accompanied by pantomime and dancing.

An ancient military engine, in the form of a crossbow, used for hurling large missiles.

A crossbow. [Obs.]

Of or pertaining to the ballista, or to the art of hurling stones or missile weapons by means of an engine.

The science or art of hurling missile weapons by the use of an engine. Whewell.

A smokeless powder containing equal parts of soluble nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.

See Bailey.

filled with hydrogen gas or heated air, so as to rise and float in the atmosphere; especially, one with a car attached for aërial navigation.

A fish of the genus Diodon or the genus Tetraodon, having the power of distending its body by taking air or water into its dilatable esophagus. See Globefish, and Bur fish.

Swelled out like a balloon.

One who goes up in a balloon; an aëronaut.

The art or practice of managing balloons or voyaging in them.

A spider which has the habit of rising into the air. Many kinds ( esp. species of Lycosa) do this while young by ejecting threads of silk until the force of the wind upon them carries the spider aloft.

An aëronaut.

The art or practice of ascending in a balloon; aëronautics.

Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any printed or written ticket used in voting.

A leap of a horse, as between two pillars, or upon a straight line, so that when his four feet are in the air, he shows only the shoes of his hind feet, without jerking out.

In France, a second ballot taken after an indecisive first ballot to decide between two or several candidates.

Voting by ballot. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

One who votes by ballot.