steam-cylinder

The engineer inspects the steam-cylinder of the locomotive.

Definition

Noun: The cylinder of a steam engine in which a piston is moved by the action of steam.

Usage Examples

• (The cylindrical chamber where steam pushes the piston.)
• (The component that converts steam pressure into mechanical motion.)

Advanced Usage

• "to blow a steam-cylinder": (technical slang) to cause a sudden failure in a steam engine by allowing excessive pressure or water accumulation in the cylinder.
  • The old engine blew a steam-cylinder after the safety valve malfunctioned. (The cylinder ruptured due to pressure build-up.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cylinder (n): a solid geometric shape with parallel straight sides and circular ends; also, a chamber in an engine.
  • The cylinder of the pump was made of cast iron. (The tubular chamber.)
• Steam engine (n): an engine that uses steam to generate mechanical power.
  • The steam engine revolutionized transportation in the 19th century. (A machine powered by steam.)

Synonyms

• Piston chamber: the part of an engine where a piston moves.
• Steam chest: a chamber that supplies steam to the cylinder (though technically a separate component).

Related Idioms

• "full steam ahead": to proceed with maximum effort or speed (derived from steam engine operation).
  • The project is full steam ahead now that the funding is approved. (Proceeding with great energy.)

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs directly involving "steam-cylinder".)