atmospheric tide

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. a movement of atmospheric masses caused by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon and by daily solar heating.

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Etymology

Origin of atmospheric tide

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

If the reader has watched his barometer narrowly, he has observed a very remarkable phenomenon, which is not known to prevail outside of the trade-wind belts—an atmospheric tide.

From Project Gutenberg

This atmospheric tide is due, no doubt, to the same cause that produces the aqueous tides—the attraction of the moon.

From Project Gutenberg

But the existence of any atmospheric tide at all is denied by some naturalists, and is at most very problematical; and the absence of regular diurnal fluctuations of the barometric pressure favours the negative of this proposition.

From Project Gutenberg

But there are other variations of the barometer of longer period, apparently depending on the phases of the moon, but which cannot be reconciled to the attracting power of the moon as an atmospheric tide; and Arago concluded that they were due to some special cause, of which the nature and mode of action are unknown.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no breeze, but the great atmospheric tide flows slowly in toward the cooling forest; one can see it by the motes in the air illuminated by the setting sun: presently, as the air cools a little, the tide turns and flows slowly out.

From Project Gutenberg