gas

[gas]

noun

plural

gases, gasses 

1. Physics.,  a substance possessing perfect molecular mobility and the property of indefinite expansion, as opposed to a solid or liquid.

2. any such fluid or mixture of fluids.

3. any such fluid used as an anesthetic, as nitrous oxide.

   Did the dentist give you gas for your extraction?

4. any such combustible fluid used as fuel.

   Light the gas in the oven.

5. Automotive.

   1. gasoline.

   2. Also called gas pedal. the foot-operated accelerator of an automotive vehicle.

      Take your foot off the gas.

6. flatus.

7. Coal Mining.,  an explosive mixture of firedamp with air.

8. an aeriform fluid or a mistlike assemblage of fine particles suspended in air, used in warfare to asphyxiate, poison, or stupefy an enemy.

9. Slang.

   1. empty talk.

   2. a person or thing that is very entertaining, pleasing, or successful.

      The party was an absolute gas, and we loved it.

   3. a person or thing that affects one strongly.

verb (used with object)

gassed, gassing 

1. to supply with gas.

2. to overcome, poison, or asphyxiate with gas or fumes.

3. to singe (yarns or fabrics) with a gas flame to remove superfluous fibers.

4. to treat or impregnate with gas.

5. Slang.

   1. to talk nonsense or falsehood to.

   2. to amuse or affect strongly.

      Her weird clothes really gas me.

verb (used without object)

gassed, gassing 

1. to give off gas, as a storage battery being charged.

2. Slang.

   1. to indulge in idle, empty talk.

   2. to become drunk (often followed byup ).

verb phrase

1. gas up,  to fill the gasoline tank of an automobile, truck, or other vehicle.

gas

/ ɡæs /

noun

1. a substance in a physical state in which it does not resist change of shape and will expand indefinitely to fill any container. If very high pressure is applied a gas may become liquid or solid, otherwise its density tends towards that of the condensed phase Compare liquid solid

2. any substance that is gaseous at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

3. any gaseous substance that is above its critical temperature and therefore not liquefiable by pressure alone Compare vapour

4. 1. a fossil fuel in the form of a gas, used as a source of domestic and industrial heat See also coal gas natural gas

   2. ( as modifier )

      a gas cooker

      gas fire

5. a gaseous anaesthetic, such as nitrous oxide

6. mining firedamp or the explosive mixture of firedamp and air

7. the usual US, Canadian, and New Zealand word for petrol See also gasoline

8. informal

   1. to increase the speed of a motor vehicle; accelerate

   2. to hurry

9. a toxic or suffocating substance in suspension in air used against an enemy

10. informal,  idle talk or boasting

11. slang,  a delightful or successful person or thing

    his latest record is a gas

12. an informal name for flatus

verb

1. (tr) to provide or fill with gas

2. (tr) to subject to gas fumes, esp so as to asphyxiate or render unconscious

3. (intr) to give off gas, as in the charging of a battery

4. (tr) (in textiles) to singe (fabric) with a flame from a gas burner to remove unwanted fibres

5. informal,  to talk in an idle or boastful way (to a person)

6. slang,  (tr) to thrill or delight

gas

1. One of four main states of matter, composed of molecules in constant random motion. Unlike a solid, a gas has no fixed shape and will take on the shape of the space available. Unlike a liquid, the intermolecular forces are very small; it has no fixed volume and will expand to fill the space available.

gas

1. In physics, one of the phases of matter. The atoms or molecules in gases are more widely spaced than in solids or liquids and suffer only occasional collisions with one another.

Other Word Forms

• gasless adjective
• nongas noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gas¹

First recorded in 1650–60; coined by J. B. van Helmont (1577–1644), Flemish chemist; suggested by Greek cháos “atmosphere”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gas¹

C17 (coined by J. B. van Helmont (1577–1644), Flemish chemist): modification of Greek khaos atmosphere

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. step on the gas, to increase the speed of one's movement or activity; hurry.

   We'd better step on the gas or we'll be late for the concert.

More idioms and phrases containing gas

• cook with gas
• run out of steam (gas)

Example Sentences

Stephen Gallagher, from SSE Airtricity said: "We know energy costs remain a primary concern for customers across Northern Ireland, so this price reduction will hopefully provide some welcome relief for many gas customers."

From BBC

The oil company Shell has submitted a fresh environmental impact assessment for the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.

From BBC

Since the demonstrations began, Indonesian police have used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets against protesters, some of whom have lobbed back Molotov cocktails and rocks.

From Los Angeles Times

But that did little to allay the concerns of Dermish and his neighbors, who continued to see flares light up the sky and to smell gas wafting over the community.

From Salon

Council leader Steve Pitt said the launch came just after the latest energy price cap announcement that gas and electricity bills would rise for millions of people.

From BBC

Related Words

• smoke 
• vapor