Pressurized

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Subjected to heightened force that modifies its physical characteristics
2. Contained within a sealed space where pressure is intentionally raised to alter its state
3. Having an internal force greater than normal atmospheric pressure applied to it to change its properties ; kept within a space where the air or gas pressure is elevated to affect performance or condition

Etymology: "Pressurized" is the past participle of "pressurize," which English formed from "pressure" plus the verb-forming suffix "-ize." "Pressure" itself came into English in the 14th century from Old French "presseure," ultimately from Latin "pressura," a noun built on "premere," "to press." The verb "pressurize" is a later creation, dating to the early 20th century, when aviation and high-altitude engineering made it necessary to describe cabins kept at a comfortable air pressure. The adjective therefore describes a sealed space whose internal air pressure has been deliberately kept above the outside level, most famously in airliners at cruising altitude. The word did not need to be invented for the sense of "under pressure" generally, which "pressure" had carried for centuries, but the technical application to controlled, sealed environments is a product of modern engineering.

Synonyms: compressed, pressing, forced, tightened, packed

Antonyms: decompressed, relaxed, expanded, loosened, released