Emily Dickinson Lexicon

balloon (-s), n. [It. 'great ball, football'.] (webplay: air, football, light, long, open, wind).

1. Sun; celestial globe [word play on “ball”]; [fig.] dream; idea; ideal; hope; success; human life.
2. Aerostat; round blimp; flying hot-air vehicle; floating inflatable ball; gas-filled silk bag with a basket for carrying people.