[ noun ] a streamlined enclosure for an aircraft engine <noun.artifact>
Nacelle \Na*celle"\ (n[.a]*s[e^]l"), n. [F.] 1. A small boat. [Obs.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. The basket suspended from a balloon; hence, the framework forming the body of a dirigible balloon, and containing the machinery, passengers, etc. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
3. A streamlined enclosure on an airplane, as for the engine or for the cargo or passengers; -- formerly used to refer to the boatlike, inclosed body of an airplane which is usually now called the {fuselage}, and now referring mostly to the enclosure for the engine. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
Currently, Rohr is supplying nacelle systems for 200 Airbus A-320 airliners under a 1984 contract. The follow-on agreement expands the program to cover 1,000 airliners.
Rohr Industries Inc. said it received a contract from British Aerospace PLC to provide nacelle systems, or the aerodynamic structure surrounding a jet engine, and pylons for the new British Aerospace BAe 125-1000 twin-engine business jet.