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vacua

 - 9 dictionary results

vac⋅u⋅a

  [vak-yoo-uh]
Use vacua in a Sentence
–noun
a pl. of vacuum.

vac⋅u⋅um

  [vak-yoom, -yoo-uhm, -yuhm] noun, plural vac⋅u⋅ums for 1, 2, 4–6, vac⋅u⋅a  [vak-yoo-uh] for 1, 2, 4, 6; adjective; verb
–noun
1. a space entirely devoid of matter.
2. an enclosed space from which matter, esp. air, has been partially removed so that the matter or gas remaining in the space exerts less pressure than the atmosphere (opposed to plenum ).
3. the state or degree of exhaustion in such an enclosed space.
4. a space not filled or occupied; emptiness; void: The loss left a vacuum in his heart.
5. a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.
6. Physics. a state of lowest energy in a quantum field theory.
–adjective
7. of, pertaining to, employing, or producing a vacuum.
8. (of a hollow container) partly exhausted of gas or air.
9. pertaining to a device or process that makes use of a vacuum to accomplish a desired task.
10. noting or pertaining to canning or packaging in which air is removed from the container to prevent deterioration of the contents.
–verb (used with object)
11. to use a vacuum cleaner on; clean with a vacuum cleaner: to vacuum rugs.
12. to treat with any vacuum device, as a vacuum drier.
–verb (used without object)
13. to use a vacuum cleaner: to vacuum in the dining room.
Origin:
1540–50; < L, neut. of vacuus empty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vacua
vac·u·a   (vāk'yōō-ə)   
n.  A plural of vacuum.
vac·u·um   (vāk'yōō-əm, -yōōm, -yəm)   
n.   pl. vac·u·ums or vac·u·a (-yōō-ə)

    1. Absence of matter.

    2. A space empty of matter.

    3. A space relatively empty of matter.

    4. A space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure.

  2. A state of emptiness; a void.

  3. A state of being sealed off from external or environmental influences; isolation.

  4. pl. vac·uums A vacuum cleaner.

adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or used to create a vacuum.

  2. Containing air or other gas at a reduced pressure.

  3. Operating by means of suction or by maintaining a partial vacuum.

tr. & intr.v.   vac·u·umed, vac·u·um·ing, vac·u·umes
To clean with or use a vacuum cleaner.

[Latin, empty space, from neuter of vacuus, empty, from vacāre, to be empty; see euə- in Indo-European roots.]
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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Cultural Dictionary

vacuum

The absence of matter.

Note: In the natural world, air will flow into regions of vacuum, giving rise to the saying “Nature abhors a vacuum.”
Note: The saying is extended informally: in politics, a lack of leadership may be referred to as a vacuum, which will presumably be filled by others rushing in.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

vacuum 
1550, "emptiness of space," from L. vacuum "an empty space, void," noun use of neuter of vacuus "empty," related to vacare "be empty" (see vain). Properly a loan-translation of Gk. xenon, lit. "that which is empty." Meaning "a place emptied of air" is attested from 1652. Vacuum tube is attested from 1859. Vacuum cleaner is from 1903; shortened form vacuum (n.) first recorded 1910. The verb meaning "to clean with a vacuum cleaner" is recorded from 1922.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vacua
plural of VACUUM

Main Entry: 2vacuum
Function: adjective
1 : of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial vacuum vacuumdistillation>
2 : of or relating to a vacuum device or system
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

vacuum vac·u·um (vāk'y&oomacr;-əm, -y&oomacr;m, -yəm)
n. pl. vac·u·ums or vac·u·a (-y&oomacr;-ə)

  1. Absence of matter.

  2. A space empty of matter.

  3. A space relatively empty of matter.

  4. A space in which the pressure is significantly lower than atmospheric pressure.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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