Atmosphere

/ˈætməsˌfɪr/ noun

Definition

The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially the air around Earth; it can also mean the mood or feeling of a place.

Etymology

It comes from Greek *atmos* 'vapor' and *sphaira* 'sphere', literally 'vapor sphere'. Scientists adopted it to describe the gas shell around Earth and later around other planets.

Kelly Says

Earth’s atmosphere is incredibly thin compared to the size of the planet—like a coat of paint on a giant ball—yet it makes life possible. The second meaning, 'mood', is clever: just as air surrounds your body, a place’s emotional 'air' surrounds your mind.

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