pneumatic means of, relating to, or resembling air or other gases.
pneumatic is pronounced /n(j)uːˈmæ.tɪk/.
Why “pneumatic” is a great word
Operated by, filled with, or relating to compressed air or gas. Its etymology descends from Latin pneumaticus, from Ancient Greek πνευματικός (pneumatikós, 'relating to wind or air'), from πνεῦμα (pneûma, 'wind, air, breath, spirit'). Unlike 'hydraulic' (which harnesses the unyielding weight of liquid) or 'voluptuous' (which describes a sensual, corporeal fullness), 'pneumatic' speaks to a forceful elasticity, a containment under pressure. It is the sharp exhalation of a train's braking system, the resilient bounce of a tire meeting the road, the firm buoyancy of a physique animated by breath. It is spirit given a temporary vessel, potential energy held in the silence of a cylinder.
Etymology
From Latin pneumaticus, from Ancient Greek πνευματικός (pneumatikós, “relating to wind or air”), from πνεῦμα (pneûma, “wind, air, breath, spirit”), from πνέω (pnéō, “to blow, breath”).
adj
- Of, relating to, or resembling air or other gases
- Of or relating to pneumatics
- Powered by, or filled with, compressed aire.g.“a pneumatic instrument or engine”
- Having cavities filled with aire.g.“pneumatic cells or bones”
- Spiritual; of or relating to the pneuma
- well-rounded; full-breasted; bouncye.g.“Her almost pneumatic bust tightened itself, and she was quite prepared to say uncharitable things, as she saw Felicia enter.”
noun
- A vehicle, such as a bicycle, whose wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres.
- In the gnostic theologian Valentinus' triadic grouping of man, the highest type; a person focused on spiritual reality (the other two being hylic and psychic).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- pneumatique 83% match — The pneumatic postal system in Paris (abolished 1984), or a letter sent by this system. vs pneumatic →
- pneuma 81% match — A neume. vs pneumatic →
- dynamism 79% match — Great energy, drive, force, or power; vigour of body, mind, or personality; oomph or pizzazz. vs pneumatic →
- ether 78% match — The substance formerly supposed to fill the upper regions of the atmosphere above the clouds, in particular as a medium breathed by deities.; The medium breathed by human beings; the air. vs pneumatic →
- ethereal 78% match — Pertaining to the presupposition of an invisible air-like element permeating all of space, or to the higher regions beyond the earth or beyond the atmosphere. vs pneumatic →
- buoyancy 78% match — The upward force on a body immersed or partly immersed in a fluid. vs pneumatic →
- pneumatology 78% match — The study of spiritual beings and phenomena, especially the interactions between humans and God. vs pneumatic →
- zephyr 78% match — A light wind from the west. vs pneumatic →