English Dictionary: natural gas | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for natural gas | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
10. (Mus.) (a) Produced by natural organs, as those of the human throat, in distinction from instrumental music. (b) Of or pertaining to a key which has neither a flat nor a sharp for its signature, as the key of C major. (c) Applied to an air or modulation of harmony which moves by easy and smooth transitions, digressing but little from the original key. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). {Natural day}, the space of twenty-four hours. --Chaucer. {Natural fats}, {Natural gas}, etc. See under {Fat}, {Gas}. etc. {Natural Harmony} (Mus.), the harmony of the triad or common chord. {Natural history}, in its broadest sense, a history or description of nature as a whole, incuding the sciences of {botany}, {zo[94]logy}, {geology}, {mineralogy}, {paleontology}, {chemistry}, and {physics}. In recent usage the term is often restricted to the sciences of botany and zo[94]logy collectively, and sometimes to the science of zoology alone. {Natural law}, that instinctive sense of justice and of right and wrong, which is native in mankind, as distinguished from specifically revealed divine law, and formulated human law. {Natural modulation} (Mus.), transition from one key to its relative keys. {Natural order}. (Nat. Hist.) See under {order}. {Natural person}. (Law) See under {person}, n. {Natural philosophy}, originally, the study of nature in general; in modern usage, that branch of physical science, commonly called {physics}, which treats of the phenomena and laws of matter and considers those effects only which are unaccompanied by any change of a chemical nature; -- contrasted with mental and moral philosophy. {Natural scale} (Mus.), a scale which is written without flats or sharps. Model would be a preferable term, as less likely to mislead, the so-called artificial scales (scales represented by the use of flats and sharps) being equally natural with the so-called natural scale {Natural science}, natural history, in its broadest sense; -- used especially in contradistinction to mental or moral science. {Natural selection} (Biol.), a supposed operation of natural laws analogous, in its operation and results, to designed selection in breeding plants and animals, and resulting in the survival of the fittest. The theory of natural selection supposes that this has been brought about mainly by gradual changes of environment which have led to corresponding changes of structure, and that those forms which have become so modified as to be best adapted to the changed environment have tended to survive and leave similarly adapted descendants, while those less perfectly adapted have tended to die out though lack of fitness for the environment, thus resulting in the survival of the fittest. See {Darwinism}. {Natural system} (Bot. & Zo[94]l.), a classification based upon real affinities, as shown in the structure of all parts of the organisms, and by their embryology. It should be borne in mind that the natural system of botany is natural only in the constitution of its genera, tribes, orders, etc., and in its grand divisions. --Gray. {Natural theology}, [or] {Natural religion}, that part of theological science which treats of those evidences of the existence and attributes of the Supreme Being which are exhibited in nature; -- distinguished from revealed religion. See Quotation under {Natural}, a., 3. {Natural vowel}, the vowel sound heard in urn, furl, sir, her, etc.; -- so called as being uttered in the easiest open position of the mouth organs. See {Neutral vowel}, under {Neutral} and Guide to Pronunciation, [sect] 17. Syn: See {Native}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
{Gas fitter}, one who lays pipes and puts up fixtures for gas. {Gas fitting}. (a) The occupation of a gas fitter. (b) pl. The appliances needed for the introduction of gas into a building, as meters, pipes, burners, etc. {Gas fixture}, a device for conveying illuminating or combustible gas from the pipe to the gas-burner, consisting of an appendage of cast, wrought, or drawn metal, with tubes upon which the burners, keys, etc., are adjusted. {Gas generator}, an apparatus in which gas is evolved; as: (a) a retort in which volatile hydrocarbons are evolved by heat; (b) a machine in which air is saturated with the vapor of liquid hydrocarbon; a carburetor; (c) a machine for the production of carbonic acid gas, for a[89]rating water, bread, etc. --Knight. {Gas jet}, a flame of illuminating gas. {Gas machine}, an apparatus for carbureting air for use as illuminating gas. {Gas meter}, an instrument for recording the quantity of gas consumed in a given time, at a particular place. {Gas retort}, a retort which contains the coal and other materials, and in which the gas is generated, in the manufacture of gas. {Gas stove}, a stove for cooking or other purposes, heated by gas. {Gas tar}, coal tar. {Gas trap}, a drain trap; a sewer trap. See 4th {Trap}, 5. {Gas washer} (Gas Works), an apparatus within which gas from the condenser is brought in contact with a falling stream of water, to precipitate the tar remaining in it. --Knight. {Gas water}, water through which gas has been passed for purification; -- called also {gas liquor} and {ammoniacal water}, and used for the manufacture of sal ammoniac, carbonate of ammonia, and Prussian blue. --Tomlinson. {Gas well}, a deep boring, from which natural gas is discharged. --Raymond. {Gas works}, a manufactory of gas, with all the machinery and appurtenances; a place where gas is generated for lighting cities. {Laughing gas}. See under {Laughing}. {Marsh gas} (Chem.), a light, combustible, gaseous hydrocarbon, {CH4}, produced artificially by the dry distillation of many organic substances, and occurring as a natural product of decomposition in stagnant pools, whence its name. It is an abundant ingredient of ordinary illuminating gas, and is the first member of the paraffin series. Called also {methane}, and in coal mines, {fire damp}. {Natural gas}, gas obtained from wells, etc., in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and elsewhere, and largely used for fuel and illuminating purposes. It is chiefly derived from the Coal Measures. {Olefiant gas} (Chem.). See {Ethylene}. {Water gas} (Chem.), a kind of gas made by forcing steam over glowing coals, whereby there results a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This gives a gas of intense heating power, but destitute of light-giving properties, and which is charged by passing through some volatile hydrocarbon, as gasoline. |