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View synonyms for pneumatic

pneumatic

[ noo-mat-ik, nyoo- ]

adjective

  1. of or relating to air, gases, or wind.
  2. of or relating to pneumatics.
  3. operated by air or by the pressure or exhaustion of air:

    a pneumatic drill.

  4. filled with or containing compressed air, as a tire.
  5. equipped with pneumatic tires.
  6. Theology. of or relating to the spirit; spiritual.
  7. Zoology. containing air or air cavities.


noun

  1. a pneumatic tire.
  2. a vehicle having wheels with such tires.

pneumatic

/ njʊˈmætɪk /

adjective

  1. of or concerned with air, gases, or wind Compare hydraulic
  2. (of a machine or device) operated by compressed air or by a vacuum

    pneumatic brakes

    a pneumatic drill

  3. containing compressed air

    a pneumatic tyre

  4. of or concerned with pneumatics
  5. theol
    1. of or relating to the soul or spirit
    2. of or relating to the Holy Ghost or other spiritual beings
  6. (of the bones of birds) containing air spaces which reduce their weight as an adaptation to flying
  7. informal.
    (of a woman) well rounded, esp with a large bosom
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. short for pneumatic tyre
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pneumatic

/ no̅o̅-mătĭk /

  1. Relating to gases, especially air.
  2. Filled with or operated by compressed air. Pneumatic machines often involve the transmission of force through air pressure in pipes or tubes.
  3. See also hydraulic
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Derived Forms

  • pneuˈmatically, adverb
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Other Words From

  • pneu·mati·cal·ly adverb
  • pneu·ma·tic·i·ty [noo-m, uh, -, tis, -i-tee, nyoo-], noun
  • nonpneu·matic adjective
  • nonpneu·mati·cal·ly adverb
  • semi·pneu·matic adjective
  • unpneu·matic adjective
  • unpneu·mati·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pneumatic1

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin pneumaticus “pertaining to air; powered by wind or air,” from Greek pneumatikós “pertaining to air, breath or wind; powered by wind or air; spiritual,” equivalent to pneumat- (stem of pneûma) + -ikos; pneuma, -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pneumatic1

C17: from Late Latin pneumaticus of air or wind, from Greek pneumatikos of air or breath, from pneuma
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Example Sentences

It wasn’t easy: The half-ton compressor needed to drive the team’s large pneumatic drill was too heavy for their helicopter.

They began carefully removing dirt using a vacuum and pneumatic knives, Scott said.

Back at Cooper’s dino-shop, work began to clean and reassemble the stegosaurus, with equipment including sand-blasting jets, pneumatic chisels and powerful microscopes.

From BBC

In collaboration with the University of Tokyo and Bridgestone Corporation, Kyoto University has now developed a method to control pneumatic artificial muscles, which are soft robotic actuators.

Research team at the University of Freiburg develops 3D-printed pneumatic logic modules that control the movements of soft robots using only air pressure.

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More About Pneumatic

What does pneumatic mean?

Pneumatic means filled with or operated by compressed air.

In general, pneumatic means related to air or wind, and pneumatics is the branch of physics that deals with the properties of air. But the adjective pneumatic is most commonly applied to machines that work by using compressed air or a vacuum, like pneumatic brakes or a pneumatic drill (also called a jackhammer).

Example: The bank uses a pneumatic tube so you can deposit your checks without going in.

Where does pneumatic come from?

The first records of pneumatic come from the 1600s. It comes from the Latin pneumaticus, which is from the Greek pneumatikós, meaning “air,” “breath,” or “spirit.” The root pneum- and similar roots are used in words related to wind or the lungs, such as pneumonia.

Machines that are powered by air are sometimes labeled air-powered, but devices called pneumatic usually work with compressed air. Such machines typically work by transmission force through air pressure in pipes or tubes. For example, pneumatic tubes were once popular for transporting document-filled containers throughout a building. In this system, things like mail, checks, and other small objects could be sent quickly from one part of an office building to another by placing the item in a container and then placing the container inside the tube, where it would be whisked away by the power of air. Car tires and bicycle tires are sometimes called pneumatic tires because they’re filled with compressed air.

Machines and systems that operate through the pressure created by water or another liquid are called hydraulic. A machine that uses a combination of pneumatic and hydraulic power is called pneudraulic.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to pneumatic?

  • pneumatically (adverb)
  • pneumaticity (noun)
  • nonpneumatic (adjective)
  • nonpneumatically (adverb)

What are some synonyms for pneumatic?

  • air-powered

What are some words that share a root or word element with pneumatic

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing pneumatic?

How is pneumatic used in real life?

Pneumatic is almost always used in a mechanical sense, the same as one would discuss hydraulics or pulley systems. The spiritual use will be used in deeply thought out theological discussion.

 

 

Try using pneumatic!

Is pneumatic used correctly in the following sentence?

I can barely hear myself think over the sound of the pneumatic drill.

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