water gas

noun

a toxic gaseous mixture consisting chiefly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, prepared from steam and incandescent coke: used as an illuminant, fuel, and in organic synthesis.

QUIZZES

How Hip Is Your Lingo? Take Our Slang Quiz!

If you aren’t already skilled in slang, then this quiz can get you up to speed in no time!

Question 1 of 11

OK Boomer can be perceived as pejorative, but it is mostly considered to be _____

a slang word for astronauts that originated in the 1950s.

a comment toward the Baby Boomer generation that is humorous or ironic in usage.

an obsolete slang term about people who speak loudly.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called blue gas.

Origin of water gas

First recorded in 1850–55

OTHER WORDS FROM water gas

wa·ter-gas, adjective

Words nearby water gas

water flag, water flea, water for injection, water fountain, water gap, water gas, water gate, water gauge, water glass, water gum, water gun

Example sentences from the Web for water gas

Water-gas made from steam and oil is usually limited to those places where the raw materials are readily available.
Artificial Light|M. Luckiesh
If, therefore, water-gas became generally used, another use for coke would be added to those already referred to (p. 47).
Coal|Raphael Meldola
It contains more hydrogen, for example, than water-gas and it is well known that hydrogen gives little light on burning.
Artificial Light|M. Luckiesh
Water-gas is of low illuminating value, but after it is carbureted it burns with a brilliant flame.
Artificial Light|M. Luckiesh

Water-gas, obtained by passing steam over heated coke, contains 40 per cent.
Aids to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology|W. G. Aitchison Robertson

British Dictionary definitions for water gas

water gas

noun

a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced by passing steam over hot carbon, used as a fuel and raw materialSee also producer gas

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