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atmospheric - 3 dictionary results

at⋅mos⋅pher⋅ic

  [at-muhs-fer-ik, -feer-]
Use atmospheric in a Sentence
–adjective
1. pertaining to, existing in, or consisting of the atmosphere: atmospheric vapors.
2. caused by, produced by, or operated on by the atmosphere: atmospheric storms.
3. resembling or suggestive of the atmosphere; having muted tones and softened or indistinct outlines; hazy: atmospheric effects.
4. having or producing an emotional atmosphere: atmospheric quality; atmospheric lighting.
Also, at⋅mos⋅pher⋅i⋅cal.

Origin:
1775–85; atmosphere + -ic

Related forms:
at⋅mos⋅pher⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To atmospheric
at·mos·pher·ic   (āt'mə-sfěr'ĭk, -sfîr'-)   
adj.  
  1. Of, relating to, or existing in the atmosphere.
  2. Produced by, dependent on, or coming from the atmosphere.
  3. Resembling or representing the atmosphere; having or giving the effect of translucence: a painting suffused with a hazy, atmospheric glow.
  4. Intended to evoke a particular emotional tone or aesthetic quality: lush atmospheric touches in every room.
at'mos·pher'i·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.
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Atmospheric

At`mos*pher"ic\, Atmospherical \At`mos*pher"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. atmosph['e]rique.]

1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.

2. Existing in the atmosphere.

The lower atmospheric current. --Darwin.

3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.

4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.]

In am so atmospherical a creature. --Pope.

Atmospheric engine, a steam engine whose piston descends by the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which raised it is condensed within the cylinder. --Tomlinson.

Atmospheric line (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an indicator card. Steam is expanded "down to the atmosphere" when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See Indicator card.)

Atmospheric pressure, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch.

Atmospheric railway, one in which pneumatic power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the propelling force.

Atmospheric tides. See under Tide.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : atmospheric
Spanish: atmosférico,
German: atmosphärisch,
Japanese: 大気の
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