ATMOSPHERE

air, aura, atmosphere

(noun) a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; “an air of mystery”; “the house had a neglected air”; “an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate’s headquarters”; “the place had an aura of romance”

atmosphere, air

(noun) the mass of air surrounding the Earth; “there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere”; “it was exposed to the air”

atmosphere

(noun) the envelope of gases surrounding any celestial body

atmosphere, atmospheric state

(noun) the weather or climate at some place; “the atmosphere was thick with fog”

atmosphere, ambiance, ambience

(noun) a particular environment or surrounding influence; “there was an atmosphere of excitement”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

atmosphere (plural atmospheres)

The gases surrounding the Earth or any astronomical body.

Coordinate terms: hydrosphere, biosphere

Meronym: Thesaurus:atmosphere

The air in a particular place.

(figuratively) The apparent mood felt in an environment.

Synonyms: air, ambiance, feeling, mood

A unit of measurement for pressure equal to 101325 Pa (symbol: atm)

Source: Wiktionary

At"mos*phere, n. Etym: [Gr. atman breath, soul, G. athem breath) + atmosphère. See Sphere.]

1. (Physics) (a) The whole mass of aëriform fluid surrounding the earth; -- applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars. (b) Any gaseous envelope or medium. An atmosphere of cold oxygen. Miller.

2. A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies. Franklin.

3. The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch. Hydrogen was liquefied under a pressure of 650 atmospheres. Lubbock.

4. Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition. The chillest of social atmospheres. Hawthorne.

5. The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition