Collins English-English Dictionary

gas [gæs]

1. 1. n a substance in a physical state in which it does not resist change of shape and will expand indefinitely to fill any container. If very high pressure is applied a gas may become liquid or solid, otherwise its density tends towards that of the condensed phase - Compare liquid solid

2. 2. n any substance that is gaseous at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

3. 3. n any gaseous substance that is above its critical temperature and therefore not liquefiable by pressure alone - Compare vapour

4. 4. n a fossil fuel in the form of a gas, used as a source of domestic and industrial heat - See also coal gas natural gas

5. 5. n (as modifier)

   a gas cooker

   gas fire

6. 6. n a gaseous anaesthetic, such as nitrous oxide

7. 7. n [mining] firedamp or the explosive mixture of firedamp and air

8. 8. n the usual US, Canadian, and New Zealand word for petrol - See also gasoline

9. 9. n a toxic or suffocating substance in suspension in air used against an enemy

10. 10. n [informal] idle talk or boasting

11. 11. n [slang] a delightful or successful person or thing

    his latest record is a gas

12. 12. n an informal name for flatus

13. 13. vt. [US] [tr] to provide or fill with gas

14. 14. vt. [tr] to subject to gas fumes, esp so as to asphyxiate or render unconscious

15. 15. vi. [intr] to give off gas, as in the charging of a battery

16. 16. vt. [tr] (in textiles) to singe (fabric) with a flame from a gas burner to remove unwanted fibres

17. 17. vi. [intr; foll by to] [informal] to talk in an idle or boastful way (to a person)

18. 18. vt. [tr] [slang] [chiefly US and Canadian] to thrill or delight

19. 19. vt. [Etymology] C17 (coined by J. B. van Helmont (1577--1644), Flemish chemist): modification of Greek khaos atmosphere