Gas engine

Gas engine
Gas Gas (g[a^]s), n.; pl. {Gases} (g[a^]s"[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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3. same as {gasoline}; -- a shortened form. Also, the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle; used in the term `` step on the gas''. [PJC]

4. the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle; used in the term `` step on the gas''. [PJC]

5. Same as {natural gas}. [PJC]

6. an exceptionally enjoyable event; a good time; as, The concert was a gas. [slang] [PJC]

Note: Gas is often used adjectively or in combination; as, gas fitter or gasfitter; gas meter or gas-meter, etc. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gas engine — (Mach.) A kind of internal combustion engine (which see) using fixed gas; also, broadly, any internal combustion engine. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gas engine — This article is about engines that use gaseous fuel. For gasoline engines, see Petrol engine. For other uses, see Internal combustion engine. Model of an S type Hartop Gas Engine. A gas engine means an engine running on a gas, such as coal gas,… …   Wikipedia

  • gas engine — noun an internal combustion engine similar to a gasoline engine but using natural gas instead of gasoline vapor • Hypernyms: ↑internal combustion engine, ↑ICE * * * noun : an internal combustion engine similar to a gasoline engine but using… …   Useful english dictionary

  • gas engine — engine which is powered by gas …   English contemporary dictionary

  • gas engine — /ˈgæs ɛndʒən/ (say gas enjuhn) noun an internal combustion engine which is driven by a mixture of gas and air …  

  • gas engine — an internal combustion engine driven by a mixture of air and gas. [1870 75] * * * …   Universalium

  • Forward Gas Engine Company — was an engineering company making stationary internal combustion gas engines in Nechells, Birmingham, England.The most famous engineer to work at the plant was Frederick William Lanchester around 1895, who made various improvements to their… …   Wikipedia

  • Gas — (g[a^]s), n.; pl. {Gases} (g[a^]s [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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gas battery — Gas Gas (g[a^]s), n.; pl. {Gases} (g[a^]s [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 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gas carbon — Gas Gas (g[a^]s), n.; pl. {Gases} (g[a^]s [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 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”