Meanings
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1
adj
of or relating to the study of hydraulics
Hydraulic engineer.
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2
adj
moved or operated or effected by water or oil
The hydraulic pressure was too much for me; I prefer something a bit more barometric.
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3
adj
Pertaining to water.
Tho' there are but seventeen feet water^([sic]) in the channel, I have seen vessels of five hundred ton enter into it. I know not why this entrance is left so neglected, as we are not in want of able engineers in France, in the hydraulic branch, a part of the mathematics to which I have most applyed^([sic]) myself.
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4
adj
Related to, or operated by, hydraulics.
A hydraulic press is operated by the differential pressure of water on pistons of different dimensions.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From French hydraulique, from Latin hydraulicus, from Ancient Greek ὑδραυλικός (hudraulikós, “of a water organ”), from ὕδραυλις (húdraulis, “water organ”), from ὕδωρ (húdōr, “water”) + αὐλός (aulós, “pipe”).