oxygen

ox·y·gen  (ks-jn)

n. Symbol O

A nonmetallic element constituting 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume that occurs as a diatomic gas, O₂, and in many compounds such as water and iron ore. It combines with most elements, is essential for plant and animal respiration, and is required for nearly all combustion. Atomic number 8; atomic weight 15.9994; melting point -218.4°C; boiling point -183.0°C; gas density at 0°C 1.429 grams per liter; valence 2. See Table at element.

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[French oxygène : Greek oxus, sharp, acid; see ak- in Indo-European roots + French -gène, -gen.]

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oxy·genic (-jnk) adj.

oxy·geni·cal·ly adv.

ox·yge·nous (k-sj-ns) adj.

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oxygen

Noun

Chem a colourless odourless gaseous element essential to life processes and to combustion Symbol: O[Greek oxus sharp + -genēs producing: from former belief that all acids contained oxygen]

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oxygen  (ks-jn)

Symbol O

A nonmetallic element that exists in its free form as a colorless, odorless gas and makes up about 21 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. It is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust and occurs in many compounds, including water, carbon dioxide, and iron ore. Oxygen combines with most elements, is required for combustion, and is essential for life in most organisms. Atomic number 8; atomic weight 15.9994; melting point -218.4°C; boiling point -183.0°C; gas density at 0°C 1.429 grams per liter; valence 2. See Periodic Table.

Word History In 1786, the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier coined a term for the element oxygen (oxygène in French). He used Greek words for the coinage: oxy- means "sharp," and -gen means "producing." Oxygen was called the "sharp-producing" element because it was thought to be essential for making acids. Lavoisier also coined the name of the element hydrogen, the "water-producing" element, in 1788. Soon after, in 1791, another French chemist, J. A. Chaptal, introduced the word nitrogen, the "niter-producing" element, referring to its discovery from an analysis of nitric acid.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

oxygen - a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust atomic number 8, O chemical element, element - any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter liquid oxygen, LOX - a bluish translucent magnetic liquid obtained by compressing gaseous oxygen and then cooling it below its boiling point; used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants air - a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air" H2O, water - binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent gas - a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely ozone - a colorless gas (O3) soluble in alkalis and cold water; a strong oxidizing agent; can be produced by electric discharge in oxygen or by the action of ultraviolet radiation on oxygen in the stratosphere (where it acts as a screen for ultraviolet radiation)

Translations

oxygen [ˈɔksɪdʒən] n → oxígeno

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oxygen [ˈɔksɪdʒən] n → oxygène m

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oxygen [ˈɔksɪdʒən] n → Sauerstoff m

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oxygen [ˈɔksɪdʒən] n → ossigeno