3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Oxygen  \Ox"y*gen\,  n.  [F.  oxyg[`e]ne,  from  Gr  ????  sharp,  acid 
  +  root  of  ????  to  be  born.  So  called  because  originally 
  supposed  to  be  an  essential  part  of  every  acid.] 
  1.  (Chem.)  A  colorless,  tasteless,  odorless,  gaseous  element 
  occurring  in  the  free  state  in  the  atmosphere,  of  which  it 
  forms  about  23  per  cent  by  weight  and  about  21  per  cent  by 
  volume,  being  slightly  heavier  than  nitrogen.  Symbol  O. 
  Atomic  weight  15.96. 
 
  Note:  It  occurs  combined  in  immense  quantities,  forming  eight 
  ninths  by  weight  of  water,  and  probably  one  half  by 
  weight  of  the  entire  solid  crust  of  the  globe,  being  an 
  ingredient  of  silica,  the  silicates,  sulphates, 
  carbonates,  nitrates,  etc  Oxygen  combines  with  all 
  elements  (except  fluorine),  forming  oxides,  bases, 
  oxyacid  anhydrides,  etc.,  the  process  in  general  being 
  called  oxidation,  of  which  combustion  is  only  an 
  intense  modification.  At  ordinary  temperatures  with 
  most  substances  it  is  moderately  active,  but  at  higher 
  temperatures  it  is  one  of  the  most  violent  and  powerful 
  chemical  agents  known  It  is  indispensable  in 
  respiration,  and  in  general  is  the  most  universally 
  active  and  efficient  element.  It  may  be  prepared  in  the 
  pure  state  by  heating  potassium  chlorate.  This  element 
  (called  dephlogisticated  air  by  Priestley)  was  named 
  oxygen  by  Lavoisier  because  he  supposed  it  to  be  a 
  constituent  of  all  acids.  This  is  not  so  in  the  case  of 
  a  very  few  acids  (as  hydrochloric,  hydrobromic,  hydric 
  sulphide,  etc.),  but  these  do  contain  elements 
  analogous  to  oxygen  in  property  and  action  Moreover, 
  the  fact  that  most  elements  approach  the  nearer  to  acid 
  qualities  in  proportion  as  they  are  combined  with  more 
  oxygen,  shows  the  great  accuracy  and  breadth  of 
  Lavoisier's  conception  of  its  nature. 
 
  2.  Chlorine  used  in  bleaching.  [Manufacturing  name] 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  oxygen 
  n  :  a  nonmetallic  bivalent  element  that  is  normally  a  colorless 
  odorless  tasteless  nonflammable  diatomic  gas;  constitutes 
  28  percent  of  the  atmosphere  by  volume;  the  most  abundant 
  element  in  the  earth's  crust  [syn:  {O},  {atomic  number  8}] 
 
  From  Elements  database  20001107  [elements]: 
 
  oxygen 
  Symbol:  O 
  Atomic  number:  8 
  Atomic  weight:  15.9994 
  A  colourless,  odourless  gaseous  element  belonging  to  group  16  of  the 
  periodic  table.  It  is  the  most  abundant  element  present  in  the  earth's 
  crust.  It  also  makes  up  20.8%  of  the  Earth's  atmosphere.  For  industrial 
  purposes,  it  is  separated  from  liquid  air  by  fractional  distillation.  It 
  is  used  in  high  temperature  welding,  and  in  breathing.  It  commonly  comes 
  in  the  form  of  Oxygen,  but  is  found  as  Ozone  in  the  upper  atmosphere.  It 
  was  discovered  by  Priestley  in  1774. 
 
 

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