OXYGEN

[ox.y.gen] n, often attrib [F oxygene, fr. Gk oxys, adj., acidic, lit., sharp + F -gene -gen; akin to L acer sharp--more at edge] (1790): a colorless tasteless odorless gaseous element that constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere and is found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in numerous organic compounds, that is capable of combining with all elements except the inert gases, that is active in physiological processes, and that is involved esp. in combustion -- ox.y.gen.ic adj -- ox.y.gen.less adj