choke damp

choke damp
Carbonic Car*bon"ic, a. [Cf. F. carbonique. See {Carbon}.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, carbon; as, carbonic oxide. [1913 Webster]

{Carbonic acid} (Chem.), an acid {HO.CO.OH}, not existing separately, which, combined with positive or basic atoms or radicals, forms carbonates. In common language the term is very generally applied to a compound of carbon and oxygen, {CO2}, more correctly called {carbon dioxide}. It is a colorless, heavy, irrespirable gas, extinguishing flame, and when breathed destroys life. It can be reduced to a liquid and solid form by intense pressure. It is produced in the fermentation of liquors, and by the combustion and decomposition of organic substances, or other substances containing carbon. It is formed in the explosion of fire damp in mines, and is hence called {after damp}; it is also know as {choke damp}, and {mephitic air}. Water will absorb its own volume of it, and more than this under pressure, and in this state becomes the common soda water of the shops, and the carbonated water of natural springs. Combined with lime it constitutes limestone, or common marble and chalk. Plants imbibe it for their nutrition and growth, the carbon being retained and the oxygen given out.

{Carbonic oxide} (Chem.), a colorless gas, {CO}, of a light odor, called more correctly {carbon monoxide}. It is almost the only definitely known compound in which carbon seems to be divalent. It is a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon, and is an abundant constituent of water gas. It is fatal to animal life, extinguishes combustion, and burns with a pale blue flame, forming carbon dioxide. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Choke damp — Damp Damp (d[a^]mp), n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor, steam, fog, G. dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG. dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.] 1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor. [1913 Webster] Night . . . with black air… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Choke damp — See {Carbonic acid}, under {Carbonic}. [1913 Webster] || …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • choke|damp — «CHOHK DAMP», noun. a heavy, suffocating, nonexplosive gas, mainly carbon dioxide, that gathers in mines, old wells, and other underground caverns; blackdamp …   Useful english dictionary

  • choke-damp — noun choking or suffocating gas, typically carbon dioxide, that is found in mines and other underground spaces …   English new terms dictionary

  • choke-damp — n. Foul air, carbonic acid, carbonic acid gas (accumulated in wells and pits) …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • choke-damp — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Damp — (d[a^]mp), n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor, steam, fog, G. dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG. dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.] 1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor. [1913 Webster] Night . . . with black air Accompanied,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Damp sheet — Damp Damp (d[a^]mp), n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor, steam, fog, G. dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG. dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.] 1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor. [1913 Webster] Night . . . with black air… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Damp (mining) — Historically, gases (other than breathable air) in coal mines in Britain were collectively known as damps . This comes from the Middle Low German word dampf (meaning vapour ), and was in use by 1480 [1]. Damps included: After damp, a mixture of… …   Wikipedia

  • choke — 1. v. & n. v. 1 tr. hinder or impede the breathing of (a person or animal) esp. by constricting the windpipe or (of gas, smoke, etc.) by being unbreathable. 2 intr. suffer a hindrance or stoppage of breath. 3 tr. & intr. make or become speechless …   Useful english dictionary

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