diesel

Meanings

Noun

• A fuel derived from petroleum (or other oils) but heavier than gasoline/petrol. Used to power diesel engines which burn this fuel using the heat produced when air is compressed.
• A vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
• A rider who has an even energy output, without bursts of speed.
• Snakebite and black (a drink).
• A particular cannabis hybrid.

Verb

• To ignite a substance by using the heat generated by compression
• For a spark-ignition internal combustion engine to continue running after the electrical current to the spark plugs has been turned off. This occurs when there's enough heat in the combustion chamber to ignite the air and fuel mixture without a spark, the same way that heat and pressure cause ignition in a diesel engine.

Origin

• , who developed a heavy-duty engine in Germany (1892–1897) and perfected it throughout his life.