Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A strong current of steam issuing at high pressure from an orifice.
  • noun A current of steam issuing from an orifice in such a way as to induce or cause a current of air to flow with it, as in the exhaust-nozles of a locomotive by which air and gases are caused to flow through the tubes and out through the stack.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The steam-blast, the joint action of the wheels by connecting them with horizontal bars on the outside, and a simplifying connection between the cylinder and the wheels, were embodied in the second engine, completed in 1815.

    Hidden Treasures Or, Why Some Succeed While Others Fail Harry A. Lewis

  • Hence originated the steam-blast, the most important improvement in the locomotive up to that time.

    Hidden Treasures Or, Why Some Succeed While Others Fail Harry A. Lewis

  • This done, the engineer throughout the trip will have perfect control of his force by means of the steam-blast and air-openings.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 08, June 1858 Various

  • Who invented the locomotive steam-blast? had Mr. Smiles made in his book as good use of his materials as he has since elsewhere, he would have saved some engineers and one or two mechanical editors from putting their feet into unpleasant places.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 08, June 1858 Various

  • In 1814, he found out and applied the steam-blast, whereby the waste steam from the cylinders is used to increase the combustion, so that the harder the machine works, the greater is its power to work.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 08, June 1858 Various

  • Some of these solid materials are evidently fragments of the rock-masses, through which the volcanic fissure has been rent; these fragments have been carried upwards by the force of the steam-blast and scattered over the sides of the volcano.

    The San Francisco calamity by earthquake and fire Charles Morris 1877

  • Stephenson's earliest important improvement in the locomotive consisted in his invention of what is called the steam-blast, by which the steam is made to increase the draught of the fire, and so largely add to the effectiveness of the engine.

    Biographies of Working Men Grant Allen 1873

  • Stephenson's earliest important improvement in the locomotive consisted in his invention of what is called the steam-blast, by which the steam is made to increase the draught of the fire, and so largely add to the effectiveness of the engine.

    Biographies of Working Men Grant Allen 1873

  • Like many other inventions, stimulated if not originated by necessity, the steam-blast was certainly reinvented, if not invented, by George Stephenson.

    Lives of the Engineers The Locomotive. George and Robert Stephenson Samuel Smiles 1858

  • The combustion in the furnace was quickened by the adoption of the steam-blast in the chimney.

    Lives of the Engineers The Locomotive. George and Robert Stephenson Samuel Smiles 1858

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