Definition of pneumatic

The word "pneumatic" originates from the Greek words "pneuma" meaning "air" or "breath" and "atikos" meaning "relating to" or "pertaining to". In ancient Greece, the term "pneumatic" referred to things that were related to airs, winds, or breathing. This includes the concepts of breath, spirit, or soul. In the 17th century, the term "pneumatic" was adopted in science to describe phenomena related to air pressure and gases. This included pneumatic engines, which used compressed air to perform mechanical work, and pneumatic tubes, which transported messages and small items through a network of tubes under pressure. Over time, the term "pneumatic" has come to be used in a variety of contexts, including medicine (pneumatic cares), engineering (pneumatic systems), and everyday language (pneumatic tires). Despite its evolution, the core meaning of the word remains tied to the concept of air and pressure.