'Pneumatic tube' definitions:

Definition of 'Pneumatic tube'

From: GCIDE
  • Pneumatic \Pneu*mat"ic\, Pneumatical \Pneu*mat"ic*al\, a. [L. pneumaticus, Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, wind, air, ? to blow, breathe; cf. OHG. fnehan: cf. F. pneumatique. Cf. Pneumonia.]
  • 1. Consisting of, or resembling, air; having the properties of an elastic fluid; gaseous; opposed to dense or solid. [1913 Webster]
  • The pneumatical substance being, in some bodies, the native spirit of the body. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Of or pertaining to air, or to elastic fluids or their properties; pertaining to pneumatics; as, pneumatic experiments. "Pneumatical discoveries." --Stewart. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Moved or worked by pressure or flow of air; as, a pneumatic instrument; a pneumatic engine. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Biol.) Fitted to contain air; Having cavities filled with air; as, pneumatic cells; pneumatic bones. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Adapted for containing compressed air; inflated with air; as, a pneumatic cushion; a pneumatic tire, a tire formed of an annular tube of flexible fabric, as India rubber, suitable for being inflated with air. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • Pneumatic action, or Pneumatic lever (Mus.), a contrivance for overcoming the resistance of the keys and other movable parts in an organ, by causing compressed air from the wind chest to move them.
  • Pneumatic dispatch, a system of tubes, leading to various points, through which letters, packages, etc., are sent, by the flow and pressure of air.
  • Pneumatic elevator, a hoisting machine worked by compressed air.
  • Pneumatic pile, a tubular pile or cylinder of large diameter sunk by atmospheric pressure.
  • Pneumatic pump, an air-exhausting or forcing pump.
  • Pneumatic railway. See Atmospheric railway, under Atmospheric.
  • Pneumatic syringe, a stout tube closed at one end, and provided with a piston, for showing that the heat produced by compressing a gas will ignite substances.
  • Pneumatic trough, a trough, generally made of wood or sheet metal, having a perforated shelf, and used, when filled with water or mercury, for collecting gases in chemical operations.
  • Pneumatic tube. See Pneumatic dispatch, above. [1913 Webster]