atmospheric, a.
(ætməsˈfɛrɪk)
[f. atmosphere n. + -ic; cf. Gr. σϕαιρικός.]
1. Of the nature of, or forming, the atmosphere.
| 1783 T. Henry (title) Effects produced by various Processes on Atmospheric Air. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea vi. §346 The earth itself, or the atmospheric envelope by which it is surrounded. |
2. Existing, taking place, or acting in the air.
| 1789 A. Bennet New Exper. Electr. 103 It may be proper to mention such theory of atmospheric electricity as appears to me consonant to the general operations of nature. 1835 Penny Cycl. III. 36/2 The action of the sun and moon must produce certain small atmospheric tides. 1872 Black Adv. Phaeton xxi. 301 The wildest atmospheric effects became visible. 1876 Page Advd. Text-bk. Geol. ii. 43 There would have been..greater atmospheric moisture. 1934 Discovery Mar. 68/2 A report..on fog and atmospheric pollution. 1947 Archit. Rev. CI. 139/1 Heavy atmospheric pollution occurs in most of the larger towns in this country, with consequent detriment to health and environment. |
3. Caused, produced, or worked by the action of the atmosphere.
atmospheric engine, a steam-engine in which the piston was forced down by the pressure of the atmosphere, after the condensation of the steam that caused it to rise. atmospheric line, the equilibrium line on the indicator-card of a steam-engine. atmospheric pressure, that exerted by the atmosphere on the earth's surface, 14·7 (roughly 15) lbs. to the square inch. atmospheric railway, one worked by the propulsive force of compressed air or by the formation of a vacuum; a pneumatic railway.
| 1822 Burrowes Cycl. X. 229/2 The atmospheric engine of Newcomen. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. viii. (1856) 61 The Polar glacier must be regarded as strictly atmospheric in its increments. |
4. Evoking or designed to evoke an atmosphere (sense 4).
| 1908 [see aviate v.] 1927 Melody Maker Sept. 942 (Advt.), Modern atmospheric music by the World's most eminent writers. 1946 Ann. Reg. 1945 343 An atmospheric story, ‘The Seventh Veil’, broke all box-office records. 1963 Punch 20 Feb. p. vii/1 Visually beautiful, atmospheric little tragedy about the love of a guilt-ridden childlike man. |