Atmospheric

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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     2. Existing or occurring in the atmosphere.
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              The lower atmospheric current.        --Darwin.
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     3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an
        atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.
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     4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.]
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              In am so atmospherical a creature.    --Pope.
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     {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}.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  atmospheric
       adj : relating to or located in the atmosphere; "atmospheric
             tests" [syn: {atmospherical}]