In ancient times, the name used for a gas.
2. The mixture of gases that make up the earth's atmosphere.The principal gases that compose dry air are: Nitrogen, 78.09%; Oxygen, 20.95%; Argon, 0.93%; and Carbon Dioxide, 0.033%.
Another important constituent of air is water vapor which varies from 0% to about 4%.
The air mass is an indication of the length of the path solar radiation travels through the atmosphere. An air mass of 1.0 means the sun is directly overhead and the radiation travels through one atmosphere (thickness).
Air sacs also give buoyancy to aquatic insects, and in dragonflies, it provides insulation around the thoracic wing muscles.
"In 1695, Guillaume Amontons, designed a thermometer using a glass tube filled with compressed air and then topped off with a level of mercury."
Brenda's father took his rifle out to go hunting for deer.
2. A BB gun that uses compressed air or gas to fire small pellets: Lucinda's young brother took his air rifle to shoot at some cans lined up on a fence.3. A weapon that can shoot many bullets quickly and which is designed for use by the military: A unit of soldiers were armed with assault rifles and they were having target practice with these weapons.