Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

Hydraulic

 - 5 dictionary results

hy⋅drau⋅lic

[hahy-draw-lik, -drol-ik]
–adjective
1. operated by, moved by, or employing water or other liquids in motion.
2. operated by the pressure created by forcing water, oil, or another liquid through a comparatively narrow pipe or orifice.
3. of or pertaining to water or other liquids in motion.
4. of or pertaining to hydraulics.
5. hardening under water, as a cement.

Origin:
1620–30; < L hydraulicus < Gk hydraulikós of a water organ. See hydraulus, -ic


hy⋅drau⋅li⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Hydraulic
hy·drau·lic   (hī-drô'lĭk)   
adj.  
  1. Of, involving, moved by, or operated by a fluid, especially water, under pressure.

  2. Able to set and harden under water, as Portland cement.

  3. Of or relating to hydraulics.


[Latin hydraulicus, from Greek hudraulikos, from hudraulis, water organ : hudro-, hudr-, hydro- + aulos, pipe, flute.]
hy·drau'li·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

hydraulic

A descriptive term for a system operated or moved by a fluid. The hydraulic jack, in which force is transmitted from a handle by means of a heavy oil, is probably the most familiar hydraulic device.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

hydraulic 
1606, from Gk. hydraulikos organon "water organ," from hydr-, stem of hydor "water" (see water (n.1)) + aulos "musical instrument, hollow tube." Extended in L. authors to other kinds of water engines.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
hydraulic   (hī-drô'lĭk)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. Operated by the pressure of water or other liquids. Hydraulic systems, such as hydraulic brakes, allow mechanical force to be transferred along curved paths (through pipes or tubes) that would be difficult for solid mechanisms, such as levers or cables, to negotiate efficiently.

  2. Relating to hydraulics.

  3. Capable of hardening under water, as cement.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Hydraulic on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: