Definition of Oxygen


Exact synonyms: Atomic Number 8, O
Generic synonyms: Chemical Element, Element, Gas
Specialized synonyms: Liquid Oxygen, Lox
Substance meronyms: Air, H2o, Water, Ozone
Derivative terms: Oxygenate, Oxygenize, Oxygenize

Definition of Oxygen


Definition of Oxygen

1. Noun. A chemical element (''symbol'' O) with an atomic number of 8 and relative atomic mass of 15.9994. ¹

2. Noun. Molecular oxygen (O2), a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature. ¹

3. Noun. (medicine) A mixture of oxygen and other gases, administered to a patient to help him or her to breathe. ¹

4. Noun. An atom of this element. ¹

¹ Source:

Definition of Oxygen

1. a gaseous element [n -S] : OXYGENIC [adj]

Medical Definition of Oxygen

1. 1. A colourless, tasteless, odorless, gaseous element occurring in the free state in the atmosphere, of which it forms about 23 per cent by weight and about 21 per cent by volume, being slightly heavier than nitrogen. Symbol O. Atomic weight 15.96. It occurs combined in immense quantities, forming eight ninths by weight of water, and probably one half by weight of the entire solid crust of the globe, being an ingredient of silica, the silicates, sulphates, carbonates, nitrates, etc. Oxygen combines with all elements (except fluorine), forming oxides, bases, oxyacid anhydrides, etc, the process in general being called oxidation, of which combustion is only an intense modification. at ordinary temperatures with most substances it is moderately active, but at higher temperatures it is one of the most violent and powerful chemical agents known. It is indispensable in respiration, and in general is the most universally active and efficient element. It may be prepared in the pure state by heating potassium chlorate. This element (called dephlogisticated air by Priestley) was named oxygen by Lavoisier because he supposed it to be a constituent of all acids. This is not so in the case of a very few acids (as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydric sulphide, etc), but these do contain elements analogous to oxygen in property and action. Moreover, the fact that most elements approach the nearer to acid qualities in proportion as they are combined with more oxygen, shows the great accuracy and breadth of Lavoisier's conception of its nature. Pharmacologic action: Increases the supply of oxygen to ischemic tissues. It is the most effective agent in emergency cardiac care. Uses: Always administer oxygen during emergency cardiac care. Dose: Nasal cannula with oxygen flow of 4 liters per minute provides FiO2 of about 30%. Nasal cannula with oxygen flow of 6-8 liters per minute provides FiO2 of 35-40%. Venturi mask can provide higher and more precise oxygen concentrations. Potential complications: Ensure that oxygen is being delivered. Carefully check all connections. Oxygen toxicity develops only after several days of exposure to high FiO2. Increased FiO2 may cause hypoventilation in COPD patients dependent on hypoxic ventilatory drive. This is very rare and simply requires starting at lower FiO2, careful observation, and assisted ventilation if necessary. Origin: F. Oxygene, from Gr. Sharp, acid + root of to be born. So called because originally supposed to be an essential part of every acid. (17 Mar 2000)

Oxygen Pictures


Lexicographical Neighbors of Oxygen

oxygen (current term)
oxygen acid
oxygen affinity anoxia
oxygen affinity hypoxia
oxygen bar
oxygen bars
oxygen bottle
oxygen bottles
oxygen burning
oxygen capacity
oxygen compounds

Literary usage of Oxygen


"oxygen was recognized by its properties as far back as the 8th century among ... It is true that Scheele, a Swedish apothecary, had made oxygen in 1771-72 ..."

2. The Harvard Classics by Charles William Eliot (1910)
"If you remember what happened when I put a jar of oxygen over a piece of candle, ... We have several tests for oxygen besides the mere burning of bodies; ..."

"ever the pressure of the oxygen is, as already pointed out, and this older view of Bohr has been confirmed by his recent investigations.1 From a biological ..."

4. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1833)
"About one-fifth of the atmosphere consists of free oxygen ; it is the chief ... oxygen may be obtained from water in the manner already mentioned under ..."

5. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1896)
"When, however, this ratio is combined with the ratio of the densities given above, the resulting value for the atomic weight of oxygen does not agree with ..."

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