n.
the chemical element of atomic number 8, a colourless, odourless reactive gas that forms about 20 per cent of the earth's atmosphere and is essential to plant and animal life.
(Symbol:
O)
Derivative
- oxygenic adj.
- oxygenous adj.
Etymology
C18: from Fr. (principe) oxygène ‘acidifying constituent’ (because at first it was held to be the essential component of acids).
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