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A drill driven by the elastic pressure of condensed air; a pneumatic drill. Knight.

An engine driven by heated or by compressed air. Knight.

An air-filled gap in a magnetic or electric circuit; specif., in a dynamo or motor, the space between the field-magnet poles and the armature; clearance.

See under Gas.

A kind of gun in which the elastic force of condensed air is used to discharge the ball. The air is powerfully compressed into a reservoir attached to the gun, by a condensing pump, and is controlled by a valve actuated by the trigger.

A hole to admit or discharge air; specifically, a spot in the ice not frozen over.

A jacket having air-tight cells, or cavities which can be filled with air, to render persons buoyant in swimming.

Spirit level. See Level.

A path through the air made easy for aërial navigation by steady winds.

A pipe for the passage of air; esp. a ventilating pipe.

A plant deriving its sustenance from the air alone; an aërophyte.

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A kind of pump for exhausting air from a vessel or closed space; also, a pump to condense air of force in into a closed space.

One of the spaces in different parts. of the bodies of birds, which are filled with air and connected with the air passages of the lungs; an air cell.

A passage, usually vertical, for admitting fresh air into a mine or a tunnel.

A stove for heating a current of air which is directed against its surface by means of pipes, and then distributed through a building.

A vessel, cell, duct, or tube containing or conducting air; as the air vessels of insects, birds, plants, etc.; the air vessel of a pump, engine, etc. For the latter, see Air chamber. The air vessels of insects are called tracheæ, of plants spiral vessels.

Erected in the air; having no solid foundation; chimerical; as, an air-built castle.

Drawn in air; imaginary. This is the air-drawn dagger. Shak.

Slacked, or pulverized, by exposure to the air; as, air-slacked lime.