I. ˈgas, -aa(ə)s, -ais noun
( plural gases also gasses )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: New Latin, alteration of chaos air, from Latin, chaos — more at chaos
1. : a fluid (as air) that has neither independent shape nor volume but tends to expand indefinitely : a substance at a temperature above its critical temperature and therefore not liquefiable by pressure alone — compare kinetic theory , permanent gas , state of aggregation ; liquid 1, vapor 2
2.
a. : a gas or gaseous mixture with the exception of atmospheric air — not used scientifically
b. : a gas or gaseous mixture (as laughing gas or ethylene) used to produce anesthesia
c. : a combustible gaseous mixture (as for fuel or illumination)
heated his house with gas
— see liquefied petroleum gas , manufactured gas , natural gas
3. slang : empty boasting talk : bombast , humbug , nonsense
4. : the state of having or an accumulation of gas in the digestive tract ; also : distress caused by this
5. : a substance (as a war gas or tear gas) whether gaseous, liquid, or solid under ordinary conditions that can be used to produce a poisonous, asphyxiating, or irritant atmosphere — compare smoke 1b
6.
a. : gasoline
b. : the accelerator of a gasoline-powered vehicle
had the gas to the floor most of the way
II. verb
( gassed ; gassed ; gassing ; gasses )
transitive verb
1. : to affect or treat with gas: as
a. : singe 1b
b. : to subject to the action of gas
fruit gassed with ethylene
sometimes : to injure or cause to deteriorate by the action of gas
c. : to poison or asphyxiate with a gas especially in warfare
d. : to cause (as a metal) to absorb gas
2. slang : to address gas to : deceive or befuddle with idle boasting talk
3. : to supply with gas or especially gasoline — often used with up
decided to gas up the car the night before they were to start
intransitive verb
1. : to give off gas (as of a storage battery during charging or a molten metal during cooling)
the new well gassed for several days before oil appeared
2. slang : to indulge in idle, garrulous, or boastful talk : chat idly or casually
stopped in to gas with the boys
3. : to fill the tank (as of a car, airplane, or motor) with gasoline — often used with up
gas up on the way back
III.
plural of ga
IV. noun
1. : driving force : energy
the quarter horse runs out of gas after a quarter mile — Carol Flake
2. slang : one that is very appealing or enjoyable
the party was a gas