OXYGENS
Noun
oxygens
plural of oxygen
Source: Wiktionary
OXYGEN
Ox"y*gen n. Etym: [F. oxygène, from Gr. acid.]
1. (Chem.)
Definition: A colorless, 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.
Note: 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.
2. Chlorine used in bleaching. [Manufacturing name]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition