gas
gas
(găs) noun
plural
gases or gasses
1.
a. The state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by relatively low density and viscosity, relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature, the ability to diffuse readily, and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container. b. A substance in the gaseous state.
2. A gaseous fuel, such as natural gas.
3. Gasoline.
4. The speed control of a gasoline engine: Step on the gas.
5. A gaseous asphyxiant, irritant, or poison.
6. A gaseous anesthetic, such as nitrous oxide.
7. a. Flatulence. b. Flatus.
8. Slang. Idle or boastful talk.
9. Slang. Someone or something exceptionally exciting or entertaining: The party was a gas.
noun
, attributive.
Often used to modify another noun: gas tanks; gas stoves.
verb
gassed, gassing, gases or gasses
verb
, transitive
1.
To treat chemically with gas.
2.
To overcome, disable, or kill with poisonous fumes.
verb
, intransitive
1.
To give off gas.
2.
Slang. To talk excessively.
phrasal verb.
gas up
To supply a vehicle with gas or gasoline: gas up a car; gassed up before the trip.
[Dutch, an occult physical principle supposed to be present in all bodies, alteration of Greek khaos, chaos, empty space, coined by Jan Baptista van Helmont (1577-1644), Flemish chemist.]