Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. 2. Existing in the atmosphere. The lower atmospheric current. --Darwin. 3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine. 4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.] In am so atmospherical a creature. --Pope. {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}.