Webster's English Dictionary

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atmosphere

at.mo.sphere \'at-m*-.sfi(*)r\ n [NL atmosphaera, fr. Gk atmos vapor + L 
   sphaera sphere; akin]to Gk ae-nai to blow - more at WIND 1a: a gaseous mass 
   enveloping a heavenly body (as a planet)  1b: the whole mass of air 
   surrounding the earth  2: the air of a locality  3: a surrounding influence 
   or environment  4: a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at 
   sea level or appr oximately 14.7 pounds to the square inch 5a: the overall 
   aesthetic effect of a work of art  5b: a dominant effect or appeal