Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pneumatical
{
Pneu-mat′ic
,Pneu-mat′ic-al
, }Adj.
[L.
pneumaticus
, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK], [GREEK], wind, air, [GREEK] to blow, breathe; cf. OHG. fnehan
: cf. F. pneumatique
. Cf. Pneumonia
.] 1.
Consisting of, or resembling, air; having the properties of an elastic fluid; gaseous; opposed to dense or solid.
The
pneumatical
substance being, in some bodies, the native spirit of the body. Bacon.
2.
Of or pertaining to air, or to elastic fluids or their properties; pertaining to pneumatics;
“Pneumatical discoveries.” as,
. pneumatic
experimentsStewart.
3.
Moved or worked by pressure or flow of air;
as, a
pneumatic
instrument; a pneumatic
engine.4.
(Biol.)
Fitted to contain air; Having cavities filled with air;
as,
pneumatic
cells; pneumatic
bones.Pneumatic action
, or
Pneumatic lever
(Mus.)
, a contrivance for overcoming the resistance of the keys and other movable parts in an organ, by causing compressed air from the wind chest to move them.
– Pneumatic dispatch
, a system of tubes, leading to various points, through which letters, packages, etc., are sent, by the flow and pressure of air.
– Pneumatic elevator
, a hoisting machine worked by compressed air.
– Pneumatic pile
, a tubular pile or cylinder of large diameter sunk by atmospheric pressure.
– Pneumatic pump
, an air-exhausting or forcing pump.
– Pneumatic railway
. See
– Atmospheric railway
, under Atmospheric
. Pneumatic syringe
, a stout tube closed at one end, and provided with a piston, for showing that the heat produced by compressing a gas will ignite substances.
– Pneumatic trough
, a trough, generally made of wood or sheet metal, having a perforated shelf, and used, when filled with water or mercury, for collecting gases in chemical operations.
– Pneumatic tube
. See
Pneumatic dispatch
, above.