ozone

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A form of oxygen with three atoms in each molecule; it is a pale blue gas with a sharp smell that forms a layer high in the atmosphere protecting us from the sun.

   Scientists are worried about the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica.

2. 2
   noun

   Fresh air, especially the salty air breathed at the seaside.

   They went to the coast for a weekend of sunshine and fresh ozone.

From German Ozon, coined 1840 by Christian Friedrich Schönbein, from Ancient Greek ὄζον (ózon), neuter participle of ὄζω (ózō, “I smell”), in reference to its pungent odour. The “fresh air” sense is from an erroneous former belief that seaweed contains and releases ozone.

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