oxygen

Definitions

oxy- (sharp, acid, from Greek oxys) + -gen (producer) = "acid-producer." Lavoisier coined the name in 1777 because he wrongly believed oxygen was the essential ingredient of all acids. The chemistry turned out to be incorrect, but the name stuck — a fossil of an old mistake. The -gen "producer" suffix here is the same root as in hydrogen and nitrogen.

Why It Means This

Oxygen literally means "acid-maker" — a name born from a scientific error. Lavoisier thought oxygen was what made things acidic; later chemistry showed hydrogen plays that role instead. By then the word was everywhere and impossible to change. So three common gases all carry the -gen "producer" ending from this root: oxy-gen (acid-maker), hydro-gen (water-maker), nitro-gen (niter/saltpetre-maker).

Common Collocations

• 1.oxygen supply氧气供应
• 2.oxygen tank氧气罐
• 3.oxygen levels氧气含量
• 4.oxygen mask氧气面罩

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis.

• 2.

  Climbers carry bottled oxygen at high altitudes.

• 3.

  The patient was put on oxygen overnight.