Find the word definition

Crossword clues for vacua

vacua
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Vacua

Vacuum \Vac"u*um\, n.; pl. E. Vacuums, L. Vacua. [L., fr. vacuus empty. See Vacuous.]

  1. (Physics) A space entirely devoid of matter (called also, by way of distinction, absolute vacuum); hence, in a more general sense, a space, as the interior of a closed vessel, which has been exhausted to a high or the highest degree by an air pump or other artificial means; as, water boils at a reduced temperature in a vacuum.

  2. The condition of rarefaction, or reduction of pressure below that of the atmosphere, in a vessel, as the condenser of a steam engine, which is nearly exhausted of air or steam, etc.; as, a vacuum of 26 inches of mercury, or 13 pounds per square inch.

    Vacuum brake, a kind of continuous brake operated by exhausting the air from some appliance under each car, and so causing the pressure of the atmosphere to apply the brakes.

    Vacuum pan (Technol.), a kind of large closed metallic retort used in sugar making for boiling down sirup. It is so connected with an exhausting apparatus that a partial vacuum is formed within. This allows the evaporation and concentration to take place at a lower atmospheric pressure and hence also at a lower temperature, which largely obviates the danger of burning the sugar, and shortens the process.

    Vacuum pump. Same as Pulsometer, 1.

    Vacuum tube (Phys.), a glass tube provided with platinum electrodes and exhausted, for the passage of the electrical discharge; a Geissler tube.

    Vacuum valve, a safety valve opening inward to admit air to a vessel in which the pressure is less than that of the atmosphere, in order to prevent collapse.

    Torricellian vacuum. See under Torricellian.

Wiktionary
vacua

n. (plural of vacuum English)

vacuä

n. (plural of vacuüm English)

WordNet
vacuum
  1. n. the absence of matter [syn: vacuity]

  2. an empty area or space; "the huge desert voids"; "the emptiness of outer space"; "without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum" [syn: void, vacancy, emptiness]

  3. a region empty of matter [syn: vacuity]

  4. an electrical home appliance that cleans by suction [syn: vacuum cleaner]

  5. [also: vacua (pl)]

vacuum
  1. v. clean with a vacuum cleaner; "vacuum the carpets" [syn: vacuum-clean, hoover]

  2. [also: vacua (pl)]

vacua

See vacuum

Usage examples of "vacua".

There was the extremely important project for securing and sealing in really good vacua in various electronic devices brought up by Joe and his crew in the supply ship.

Vatinio legatis, duas legiones in Aeduos deduxit, quorum in omni Gallia summam esse auctoritatem sciebat, duas in Turonis ad fines Carnutum posuit, quae omnem illam regionem coniunctam Oceano continerent, duas reliquas in Lemovicum finibus non longe ab Arvernis, ne qua pars Galliae vacua ab exercitu esset.

The Relative Proportion of the Heating Surfaces in the Elements of the Multiple Evaporator and their Actual Dimensions -- The Pressure Exerted by Currents of Steam and Gas upon Floating Drops of Water -- The Motion of Floating Drops of Water upon which Press Currents of Steam -- The Splashing of Evaporating Liquids -- The Diameter of Pipes for Steam, Alcohol, Vapour and Air -- The Diameter of Water Pipes -- The Loss of Heat, from Apparatus and Pipes to the Surrounding Air, and Means for Preventing the Loss -- Condensers -- Heating Liquids by Means of Steam -- The Cooling of Liquids -- The Volumes to be Exhausted from Condensers by the Air-pumps -- A Few Remarks on Air-pumps and the Vacua they Produce -- The Volumetric Efficiency of Air-pumps -- The Volumes of Air which must be Exhausted from a Vessel in order to Reduce its Original Pressure to a Certain Lower Pressure -- Index.

The two most famous lines are a procession of negatives:- Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram, Perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna.