atmosphere
Atmosphere is defined as the area of air and gas enveloping objects in space, like stars and planets, or the air around any location.
(noun)- An example of atmosphere is the ozone and other layers which make up the Earth’s sky as we see it.
- An example of atmosphere is the air and gases contained inside a greenhouse.
The definition of atmosphere is an overall feeling and/or effect of a place, specially if it is an environment of pleasure or interest.
(noun)- An example of atmosphere is the creepy feeling one gets whenever they walk past the old, abandoned neighborhood house which is rumored to be haunted.
- An example of atmosphere is a romantic restaurant which has candlelight, soft music, bountiful flowers, and stunning art work.
See atmosphere in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- the gaseous envelope (air) surrounding the earth to a height of c. 1,000 km (c. 621 mi): it is c. 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and 1% other gases, and rotates with the earth, because of gravity
- the gaseous mass surrounding any star, planet, etc.
- the air in any given place
- a pervading or surrounding influence or spirit; general mood or social environment
- the general tone of a work of art: a play with a fateful atmosphere
- Informal an interesting, often exotic, effect produced by decoration, furnishings, etc.: a restaurant with atmosphere
- Physics a standard unit of pressure used to measure atmospheric pressure, equal to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury that is 760 millimeters (29.9213 inches) high at 0°C at sea level (101,325 pascals or 1,013.25 millibars or 14.70 pounds per square inch): abbrev. atm
Origin: ModL atmosphaera < Gr atmos, vapor + sphaira, sphere
See atmosphere in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- The gaseous mass or envelope surrounding a celestial body, especially the one surrounding the earth, and retained by the celestial body's gravitational field.
- The air or climate in a specific place.
- Abbr. atm Physics A unit of pressure equal to the air pressure at sea level. It equals the amount of pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 millimeters high at 0 degrees Celsius under standard gravity, or 14.7 pounds per square inch (1.01325 × 105 pascals). See Table at measurement.
- A dominant intellectual or emotional environment or attitude: an atmosphere of distrust among the electorate.
- The dominant tone or mood of a work of art.
- An aesthetic quality or effect, especially a distinctive and pleasing one, associated with a particular place: a restaurant with an Old World atmosphere.
Origin:
Origin: New Latin atmosphaera
Origin: : Greek atmos, vapor; see wet-1 in Indo-European roots
Origin: + Latin sphaera, sphere; see sphere
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atmosphere
See atmosphere in Ologies
Atmosphere
See also climate; clouds; environment; weather; wind.
the horizontal movement of elements of the atmosphere. Cf. convection. —advective, adj.
the branch of dynamics that studies the motions of air and other gases, especially with regard to bodies in motion in these substances. See also aviation. —aerodynamic, aerodynamical, adj.
the branch of meteorology that studies and describes atmospheric conditions. —aerographer, n. —aerographic, aerographical, adj.
1. Obsolete, the branch of meteorology that observed the atmosphere by using balloons, airplanes, etc.
2. meteorology. —aerologist, n. —aerologic, aerological, adj.
aeromancy
1. divination from the state of the air or atmospheric conditions, sometimes limited to weather.
2. Humorous. weather forecasting. See also 124. DIVINATION.
the science of measuring properties of air; pneumatics. —aerometric, adj.
the region in the upper part of the earth’s atmosphere where the air is too thin for aircraft to operate properly.
an abnormal dread of fresh air. —aerophobe, n.
aeroscepsy, aeroscepsis
perception by means of the air, said to be a function of the antennae of insects.
Aeronautics. the area outside the atmosphere of the earth where manned flight is possible.
atmolysis
the separation of gases which are equally diffusible. —atmolyzer, n.
1. the sound, usually a crackling noise, heard over a radio receiver and caused by electromagnetic disturbances in the atmosphere; static.
2. the natural phenomena that create this disturbance.
a barometer which automatically records, on a rotating cylinder, any variation in atmospheric pressure; a self-recording aneroid.
barometrography
the branch of science that deals with the barometer.
barometry
the art or science of barometric observation.
a branch of biology that studies the relationship between living creatures and atmospheric conditions. Also called biometeorology. —bioclimatologist, bioclimatician, n. —bioclimatological, adj.
chaomancy
a form of divination involving aerial visions.
the vertical movement of elements of the atmosphere. Cf. advection.
an instrument for measuring the amount of oxygen in the air and for analyzing gases.
the highest portion of the earth’s atmosphere, from which air molecules can escape into space. Cf. ionosphere.
the outermost part of the earth’s permanent atmosphere, beyond the stratosphere, composed of heavily ionized molecules. It extends from about 50 to 250 miles above the surface of the earth. Cf. exosphere.
konimeter
an instrument for measuring impurities in the air. —konimetric, adj.
konimetry
the measurement of impurities in the air by means of a konimeter. —konimetric, adj.
koniology, coniology
the study of atmospheric dust and other impurities in the air, as germs, pollen, etc., especially regarding their effect on plant and animal life.
miasmology
the study of fogs and smogs, especially those affecting air pollution levels.
a barograph for recording small fluctuations of atmospheric pressure.
ozonometry
the determination of the proportion of ozone in the atmosphere. —ozonometer, n. —ozonometric, adj.
a specialty in physics that studies the mechanical properties of air and other gases. Also called pneumodynamics.
the upper part of the earth’s atmosphere, characterized by an almost constant temperature throughout its altitude, which begins at about seven miles and continues to the ionosphere, at about 50 miles.
sympiesometer, sympiezometer
an instrument for measuring the weight of the atmosphere by the compression of a column of gas. See also instruments.
the zone between the troposphere and the stratosphere where the temperature remains relatively constant above a given point on earth.
the region of the earth’s atmosphere between the surface of the earth and the stratosphere.
vacuometer
an instrument used for comparing barometers at varying pressures against a standard barometer.
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