pneumatic

adj. describing a tool or machine that works using air pressure.

adj. operated by air or other gases under pressure. This is the most common modern application of the term.

“The workers used a pneumatic drill to break up the old road.”

“The factory upgraded to a pneumatic conveyor system to move delicate components without the friction associated with mechanical belts.”

Technical

adj. containing air or having air-filled spaces inside.

adj. containing air or having cavities filled with air. In zoology, it describes the hollow bones of birds.

“Birds have pneumatic bones which help make them light enough to fly.”

“The evolution of pneumatic skeletal structures in theropod dinosaurs is considered a key precursor to the development of avian flight.”

Technical

adj. relating to the spirit or the soul rather than the physical body.

adj. relating to the pneuma, spirit, or soul. Often used in theological or philosophical contexts to distinguish the spiritual from the material.

“The philosopher discussed the pneumatic nature of the human soul.”

“The text explores the pneumatic dimensions of early Christian thought, contrasting the life of the spirit with purely physical existence.”

Formal · Academic

n. in some old religious groups, a person who is very focused on spiritual things.

n. in Gnostic systems, a person belonging to the highest of three classes of human beings, characterized by spiritual perfection.

“The ancient text describes the pneumatic as one who has found true wisdom.”

“Valentinian Gnosticism categorized humanity into three tiers, with the pneumatic occupying the summit due to their inherent capacity for divine knowledge.”

Archaic · Technical