See Also: Pontoon(medicine)
pontoon(1)(dictionary)
pontoon(2)(dictionary)
pontoon(dictionary)
Pontoon(casino)
Pontoon - Blackjack(gambling)
pontoon bridge(dictionary)

pontoon(1) (iou)



pontoon noun1 & verb. L17.
[Old & mod. French ponton from Latin ponto(n-) flat-bottomed ferryboat, from pont-, pons bridge: see -OON. Cf. PONT noun, PUNT noun1.]
A. noun.
A flat-bottomed boat used as a lighter, ferryboat, etc. L17.
Chiefly Military. A flat-bottomed boat, hollow metal cylinder, etc., used with others to support a temporary bridge over a river or to provide buoyancy in the water for a temporary structure. L17.
b. Now more fully pontoon-bridge. A temporary bridge over a river supported by a number of flat-bottomed boats, hollow metal cylinders, etc. E18.
Nautical. A large flat-bottomed barge or lighter furnished with cranes, capstans, and tackle, used for careening ships, raising weights, etc. M18.
= CAISSON 1, 1b. L19.
b. verb trans. Cross (a river) by means of pontoons. M19.
pontooner noun = PONTONEER L18.