'High-pressure engine' definitions:

Definition of 'High-pressure engine'

From: GCIDE
  • High-pressure \High"-pres`sure\ (?; 135), a.
  • 1. Having or involving a pressure greatly exceeding that of the atmosphere; -- said of steam, air, water, etc., and of steam, air, or hydraulic engines, water wheels, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Fig.: Urgent; intense; as, a high-pressure business or social life. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Using intense psychological pressure or other incentives to convince others to do things; aggressively persistent; as, high-pressure salesmen; high-pressure tactics. [PJC]
  • High-pressure engine, an engine in which steam at high pressure is used. It may be either a condensing or a noncondensing engine. Formerly the term was used only of the latter. See Steam engine. [1913 Webster]