GRAVITY

n. Gra2v'i2t-i2. Gr., /Sapimjs. Lat., gravitas (from gravis, heavy). Fr., pesant eur, gravite. Ger., Schwere. 1. The state of being heavy. 2. The state of being grave. 3. See GRAVITATION. Specific g. Fr., poids spec i fique. Ger., spezifisches Gewicht. The ratio of the weight of any body to the weight of the same volume of some other body taken as a unit or standard. In the case of solids, the body used as a unit of comparison is distilled water at a temperature of 4 C.; in the case of gases, air (sometimes hydrogen) at a temperature of C and a barometric pre ure of 760 mm. (30 inches) of mercury. [BJ [s. 239]