ˈætməsfɪə n. 1 a
the envelope of gases surrounding the
earth,
any other planet, or any
substance. b the
air in any
particular place,
esp. if
unpleasant. 2 a the pervading
tone or mood of a place or
situation, esp.
with reference to the feelings or emotions evoked. b the feelings or emotions evoked by a
work of art, a
piece of
music, etc. 3
Physics a
unit of
pressure equal to mean atmospheric pressure at
sea level, 101,325 pascals. °Abbr.:
atm. øøatmospheric adj. atmospherical adj. atmospherically adv. [mod.L atmosphaera f. Gk atmos
vapour: see SPHERE]