Definitions for: Gas


[n] a pedal that controls the throttle valve; "he stepped on the gas"
[n] a fossil fuel in the gaseous state; used for cooking and heating homes
[n] a state of excessive gas in the alimentary canal
[n] the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
[n] a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
[n] a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely
[v] show off
[v] attack with gas; subject to gas fumes; "The despot gassed the rebellious tribes"



Webster (1913) Definition: Gas (g[a^]s), n.; pl. Gases (-[e^]z). [Invented by the
chemist Van Helmont of Brussels, who died in 1644.]
1. An a["e]riform fluid; -- a term used at first by chemists
as synonymous with air, but since restricted to fluids
supposed to be permanently elastic, as oxygen, hydrogen,
etc., in distinction from vapors, as steam, which become
liquid on a reduction of temperature. In present usage,
since all of the supposed permanent gases have been
liquified by cold and pressure, the term has resumed
nearly its original signification, and is applied to any
substance in the elastic or a["e]riform state.

2. (Popular Usage)
(a) A complex mixture of gases, of which the most
important constituents are marsh gas, olefiant gas,
and hydrogen, artificially produced by the destructive
distillation of gas coal, or sometimes of peat, wood,
oil, resin, etc. It gives a brilliant light when
burned, and is the common gas used for illuminating
purposes.
(b) Laughing gas.
(c) Any irrespirable a["e]riform fluid.



Note: Gas is often used adjectively or in combination; as,
gas fitter or gasfitter; gas meter or gas-meter, etc.

Air gas (Chem.), a kind of gas made by forcing air through
some volatile hydrocarbon, as the lighter petroleums. The
air is so saturated with combustible vapor as to be a
convenient illuminating and heating agent.

Gas battery (Elec.), a form of voltaic battery, in which
gases, especially hydrogen and oxygen, are the active
agents.

Gas carbon, Gas coke, etc. See under Carbon, Coke,
etc.

Gas coal, a bituminous or hydrogenous coal yielding a high
percentage of volatile matters, and therefore available
for the manufacture of illuminating gas. --R. W. Raymond.

Gas engine, an engine in which the motion of the piston is
produced by the combustion or sudden production or
expansion of gas; -- especially, an engine in which an
explosive mixture of gas and air is forced into the
working cylinder and ignited there by a gas flame or an
electric spark.



Gas fitter, one who lays pipes and puts up fixtures for
gas.

Gas fitting.
(a) The occupation of a gas fitter.
(b) pl. The appliances needed for the introduction of gas
into a building, as meters, pipes, burners, etc.

Gas fixture, a device for conveying illuminating or
combustible gas from the pipe to the gas-burner,
consisting of an appendage of cast, wrought, or drawn
metal, with tubes upon which the burners, keys, etc., are
adjusted.

Gas generator, an apparatus in which gas is evolved; as:
(a) a retort in which volatile hydrocarbons are evolved by
heat;
(b) a machine in which air is saturated with the vapor of
liquid hydrocarbon; a carburetor;
(c) a machine for the production of carbonic acid gas, for
a["e]rating water, bread, etc. --Knight.

Gas jet, a flame of illuminating gas.

Gas machine, an apparatus for carbureting air for use as
illuminating gas.

Gas meter, an instrument for recording the quantity of gas
consumed in a given time, at a particular place.

Gas retort, a retort which contains the coal and other
materials, and in which the gas is generated, in the
manufacture of gas.

Gas stove, a stove for cooking or other purposes, heated by
gas.

Gas tar, coal tar.

Gas trap, a drain trap; a sewer trap. See 4th Trap, 5.

Gas washer (Gas Works), an apparatus within which gas from
the condenser is brought in contact with a falling stream
of water, to precipitate the tar remaining in it.
--Knight.

Gas water, water through which gas has been passed for
purification; -- called also gas liquor and {ammoniacal
water}, and used for the manufacture of sal ammoniac,
carbonate of ammonia, and Prussian blue. --Tomlinson.

Gas well, a deep boring, from which natural gas is
discharged. --Raymond.

Gas works, a manufactory of gas, with all the machinery and
appurtenances; a place where gas is generated for lighting
cities.

Laughing gas. See under Laughing.

Marsh gas (Chem.), a light, combustible, gaseous
hydrocarbon, CH4, produced artificially by the dry
distillation of many organic substances, and occurring as
a natural product of decomposition in stagnant pools,
whence its name. It is an abundant ingredient of ordinary
illuminating gas, and is the first member of the paraffin
series. Called also methane, and in coal mines, {fire
damp}.

Natural gas, gas obtained from wells, etc., in
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and elsewhere, and largely used for
fuel and illuminating purposes. It is chiefly derived from
the Coal Measures.

Olefiant gas (Chem.). See Ethylene.

Water gas (Chem.), a kind of gas made by forcing steam over
glowing coals, whereby there results a mixture of hydrogen
and carbon monoxide. This gives a gas of intense heating
power, but destitute of light-giving properties, and which
is charged by passing through some volatile hydrocarbon,
as gasoline.


Gas, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gassed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Gassing.]
1. (Textiles) To singe, as in a gas flame, so as to remove
loose fibers; as, to gas thread.

2. To impregnate with gas; as, to gas lime with chlorine in
the manufacture of bleaching powder.


Gas, n.
Gasoline. [Colloq.]

Synonyms: accelerator, accelerator pedal, blow, bluster, boast, brag, flatulence, flatulency, gas pedal, gasconade, gasolene, gasoline, gun, natural gas, petrol, shoot a line, swash, throttle, tout, vaunt

See Also: aeroplane, afterdamp, air, air gas, airplane, amplify, argonon, arsine, assail, atmosphere, atomic number 1, atomic number 17, atomic number 7, atomic number 8, atomic number 9, attack, auto, automobile, blow gas, blowing gas, bottled gas, butane, butene, butylene, car, chlorine, Cl, combustible, combustible material, compressed gas, crow, cyanogen, ethane, ethene, ethylene, exaggerate, exhaust, exhaust fumes, F, firedamp, fluid, fluorine, foot lever, foot pedal, formaldehyde, fossil fuel, fuel, fumes, gasohol, gloat, H, hydrocarbon, hydrogen, hyerbolise, hyperbolize, ideal gas, inert gas, inhalant, lachrymator, lacrimator, leaded gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, machine, magnify, methanal, methane, motorcar, N, napalm, nitric oxide, nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide, noble gas, O, overdraw, overstate, oxygen, ozone, pedal, perfect gas, phosgene, phosphine, physiological condition, physiological state, plane, poison gas, producer gas, propane, propene, propylene, puff, sewer gas, state, state of matter, sublimate, sulfur dioxide, sulphur dioxide, tear gas, teargas, treadle, triumph, unleaded gasoline, water gas

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
y letter animals
animals beginning with p
animal facts