Aqua-Lung
Definition
Noun: A portable breathing apparatus for divers, consisting of one or more cylinders of compressed air connected by a hose to a mouthpiece. It enables independent underwater breathing by supplying air on demand. The term is a proprietary name (Aqua-Lung) that has become generic for this type of equipment.
Usage
The term 'aqua-lung' refers specifically to the underwater breathing set. It is used as a common noun, though it originated as a trademark. - The diver checked his aqua-lung before descending into the deep reef. - Early underwater exploration was revolutionized by the invention of the aqua-lung.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The Aqua-Lung was co-invented by Jacques Cousteau and Émile Gagnan in 1943. In modern general usage, the term 'scuba' is more common, but 'aqua-lung' is still understood, often with a historical or technical nuance.
- The museum displayed an original Cousteau-Gagnan aqua-lung from the 1940s.
Variants and Related Words
- Scuba (noun): The modern, more common acronym (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) for the same type of equipment. While 'aqua-lung' is a specific brand name that became generic, 'scuba' is the standard technical term.
- She earned her scuba diving certification last summer.
- SCUBA (noun): An alternative capitalization of the acronym.
- Aqualung (noun): A common alternative spelling, written as one word.
Synonyms
- Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus: The full, formal term.
- Diving apparatus: A more general term for equipment used in diving.
Related Phrases
- To go aqua-lung diving: An older phrasing for engaging in scuba diving.
- In his youth, he loved to go aqua-lung diving in the Mediterranean.
Noun
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a device (trade name Aqua-Lung) that lets divers breathe under water; scuba is an acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus