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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Atmospheric \At'mos*pher"ic\, Atmospherical \At'mos*pher"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. atmosph['e]rique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; of the nature of, or resembling, the atmosphere; as, atmospheric air; the atmospheric envelope of the earth.
2. Existing or occurring in the atmosphere.
The lower atmospheric current. --Darwin.
3. Caused, or operated on, by the atmosphere; as, an atmospheric effect; an atmospheric engine.
4. Dependent on the atmosphere. [R.]
In am so atmospherical a creature. --Pope.
{Atmospheric engine}, a steam engine whose piston descends by the pressure of the atmosphere, when the steam which raised it is condensed within the cylinder. --Tomlinson.
{Atmospheric line} (Steam Engin.), the equilibrium line of an indicator card. Steam is expanded ''down to the atmosphere'' when its pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere. (See {Indicator card}.)
{Atmospheric pressure}, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere, not merely downwards, but in every direction. In amounts to about 14.7 Ibs. on each square inch.
{Atmospheric railway}, one in which pneumatic power, obtained from compressed air or the creation of a vacuum, is the propelling force.
{Atmospheric tides}. See under {Tide}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
atmospheric
adjective: relating to or located in the atmosphere; "atmospheric tests" [syn: {atmospherical}]
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