laughing gas

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gas

[gas]

any elastic aeriform fluid in which the molecules are widely separated from each other and so have free paths.

alveolar gas the gas in the alveoli of the lungs, where gas exchange with the capillary blood takes place.

blood g's the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood; see blood gas analysis.

gas pains pains caused by distention of the stomach or intestines by accumulation of air or other gases. The presence of gas is indicated by distention of the abdomen, belching, or discharge of gas through the rectum. Gas-forming foods include highly flavored vegetables such as onions, cabbage, and turnips; members of the bean family; and fruits such as melons and raw apples. Some seasonings and other chemical irritants also produce gas.

tear gas any of various irritant vapors dispensed by aerosol and causing pain and severe lacrimation in humans; some also cause irritation of exposed mucous membranes as well as vomiting. Common ones include chloroacetophenone (CN), o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (see CS), and dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepine (see cr); the most common of the three is CS (also known as mace).

laugh·ing gas

a historical term for nitrous oxide.

[so called because its inhalation sometimes excites a hilarious delirium preceding insensibility]

laughing gas

(lăf′ĭng, lä′fĭng)

Nitrous oxide, especially as used as an anesthetic.

laughing gas

[laf′ing]

Usage notes: (informal)

nitrous oxide, a side effect of which is laughter or giggling when administered in low doses.

ni·trous ox·ide

(nī'trŭs ok'sīd)

A nonflammable, nonexplosive gas that will support combustion; widely used as a rapidly acting, rapidly reversible, nondepressant, and nontoxic inhalation analgesic to supplement other anesthetics and analgesics; its anesthetic potency is inadequate to provide surgical anesthesia.
Synonym(s): laughing gas.

laughing gas

A popular term for the anaesthetic drug NITROUS OXIDE.

laugh·ing gas

(laf'ing gas)

Term for nitrous oxide because its inhalation could excite hilarious delirium before insensibility.

laughing gas

nitrous oxide.

References in periodicals archive ?

Same day delivery - cream chargers, whippers, canisters, balloons, laughing gas.

'Cream chargers' whip up storm as new recreational drug of choice; Small silver gas canisters litter streets as catering suppliers face unusual demand

In 1945, Bertrand Russell wrote: "The 19th Century US philosopher William James describes a man who got the experience from laughing gas.

CREAM CRACKERS; Druggies buy whipped cream makers in laughing gas craze

show that each molecule of laughing gas depletes about one-fiftieth as much ozone as does a CFC molecule.

A gassy threat from above

He was found dead next to a tank of laughing gas, yes, but with a plastic bag over his head.

Letters

Early on Monday police arrested two women after they were caught trying to sell nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, in the Famagusta region.

Two arrests for laughing gas

For a long root-canal procedure, he asked me if I would be interested in trying nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, instead of local anesthesia.

How Doctors Keep You Asleep During Surgery

The casings of nitrous oxide - or laughing gas - are meant for chefs who use it to whip cream when making desserts.

Growing drugs menace is no laughing matter

Another Middlesbrough dad said he has seen "numerous" used laughing gas canisters littering the car park at the Acklam shops.

'Hippy crack' canisters found near historic hall; Reports of similar items near shops after jogger's find

HUNDREDS of empty canisters used to take the legal high laughing gas have been found strewn across a residential street.

Concerns after legal high canisters found strewn across street

Paul told the ECHO last week he didn't intend to cause any trouble with the helium stunt and was unaware of a different type of gas, nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas or hippy crack, from balloons being a potentially deadly drug craze.

Paul in the clear over high jinks

Sales of nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - for recreational use will be outlawed, as part of a blanket ban on legal highs.

New blanket ban on sales of legal highs

Peddling nitrous oxide - or laughing gas - will be made a criminal offence under new laws published yesterday.