gondola

n. [ It., dim. of gonda a gondola; cf. LL. gandeia a kind of boat, Gr. &unr_; a drinking vessel; said to be a Persian word; cf. F. gondole gondola, cup. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A long, narrow boat with a high prow and stern, used in the canals of Venice. A gondola is usually propelled by one or two oarsmen who stand facing the prow, or by poling. A gondola for passengers has a small open cabin amidships, for their protection against the sun or rain. A sumptuary law of Venice required that gondolas should be painted black, and they are customarily so painted now. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A flat-bottomed boat for freight. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A long platform car, either having no sides or with very low sides, used on railroads. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Aëronautics) An elongated car under a dirigible. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]