gas

[ gas ]

noun

, plural gas·es or gas·ses.

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, gas·sing.

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, gas·sing.

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 by up ).

verb phrase

1. 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. step on the gas 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.
   intrfoll byto to talk in an idle or boastful way (to a person)
6. slang.
   tr to thrill or delight

gas

/ găs /

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈgasless, adjective

Other Words From

• gas·less adjective
• non·gas noun plural nongases

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, Informal. 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

In addition to the idiom beginning with gas , also see cook with gas ; run out of steam (gas) .

Example Sentences

In apparent response to the GOP wins, small-cap stocks, along with financial and traditional energy sectors — including oil, gas and coal — performed particularly well following the election and may continue to benefit from anticipated new policies, such as corporate tax cuts, reduced regulatory oversight for financial institutions and fewer environmental restrictions on fossil fuel production.

From Salon

I met Jane, and she had her foot on the gas pedal at 80.

From Los Angeles Times

Clearing his throat, Danson chimes in, at once teasing and sincere: “What I heard was the 50-and-under takeaway. I would like to add for the older folks: Keep your foot on the gas pedal. Live! This is your life until it ain’t. Go for it.”

From Los Angeles Times

The plan's answer to the oil bust is to tear down barriers protecting public land, allowing oil and gas companies to expand their operations there.

From Salon

“Our mindset is that its 0-0 after every quarter. We always play like we just started the game and never take our foot off the gas.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• smoke
• vapor