Definition of atmosphere

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Definition: (noun) an underlying reason or explanation.
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at·mos·phere

(

-sfîr

) KEY

NOUN:

The gaseous mass or envelope surrounding a celestial body, especially the one surrounding the earth, and retained by the celestial body's gravitational field.
The air or climate in a specific place.
Abbr. atm Physics A unit of pressure equal to the air pressure at sea level. It equals the amount of pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 millimeters high at 0 degrees Celsius under standard gravity, or 14.7 pounds per square inch (1.01325 × 10⁵ pascals). See Table at measurement.
A dominant intellectual or emotional environment or attitude: an atmosphere of distrust among the electorate.
The dominant tone or mood of a work of art.
An aesthetic quality or effect, especially a distinctive and pleasing one, associated with a particular place: a restaurant with an Old World atmosphere.

ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin atmosphaera : Greek atmos, vapor; see wet-¹ in Indo-European roots + Latin sphaera, sphere ; see sphere

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