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diesel

 - 8 dictionary results

die⋅sel

[dee-zuhl, -suhl]
–adjective
1. noting a machine or vehicle powered by a diesel engine: diesel locomotive.
2. of or pertaining to a diesel engine: diesel fuel.
–noun
3. diesel engine.
4. a vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
5. diesel fuel.
Also, Diesel.


Origin:
after R. Diesel, the engine's inventor

Die⋅sel

[dee-zuhl, -suhl]
–noun
Ru⋅dolf [roo-dolf, -dawlf; Ger. roo-dawlf] , 1858–1913, German automotive engineer.

diesel engine

–noun
a compression-ignition engine in which a spray of fuel, introduced into air compressed to a temperature of approximately 1000° F (538° C), ignites at a virtually constant pressure.
Also called diesel.


Origin:
1890–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To diesel
die·sel   (dē'zəl, -səl)   
n.  
  1. A diesel engine.

  2. A vehicle powered by a diesel engine.

  3. The type of gasoline designed to power a diesel engine.

intr.v.   die·seled, die·sel·ing, die·sels
  1. To continue running after the ignition has been turned off, as when an open throttle supplies fuel to an engine that is still sufficiently hot to ignite it.

  2. To drive a diesel-powered vehicle: We dieseled through the countryside.

  3. To refuel a diesel-powered vehicle. Often used with up.

Die·sel   (dē'zəl)   
German engineer who devised and patented (1892) an internal-combustion engine.
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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Slang Dictionary
diesel [ˈdizlæ]

  1. mod.
    really good. : I am set for a diesel evening and I intend to enjoy it.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

diesel 
1894, named for Rudolf Diesel (1858-1913), Ger. mechanical engineer who designed this type of engine.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
diesel engine   (dē'zəl)  Pronunciation Key 


(click for larger image in new window)

An internal-combustion engine in which the fuel oil is ignited by the heat of air that has been highly compressed in the cylinder, rather than by a spark. Due to the need for the engine to withstand very high pressures, diesel engines are relatively heavy; however, they are relatively fuel-efficient, especially when running at low power.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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