from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hydrostatic \Hy`dro*stat"ic\, Hydrostatical \Hy`dro*stat"ic*al\,
a. [Hydro-, 1 + Gr. ? causing to stand: cf. F. hydrostatique.
See {Static}.]
Of or relating to hydrostatics; pertaining to, or in
accordance with, the principles of the equilibrium of fluids.
[1913 Webster]
The first discovery made in hydrostatics since the time
of Archimedes is due to Stevinus. --Hallam.
[1913 Webster]
{Hydrostatic balance}, a balance for weighing substances in
water, for the purpose of ascertaining their specific
gravities.
{Hydrostatic bed}, a water bed.
{Hydrostatic bellows}, an apparatus consisting of a
water-tight bellowslike case with a long, upright tube,
into which water may be poured to illustrate the
hydrostatic paradox.
{Hydrostatic paradox}, the proposition in hydrostatics that
any quantity of water, however small, may be made to
counterbalance any weight, however great; or the law of
the equality of pressure of fluids in all directions.
{Hydrostatic press}, a machine in which great force, with
slow motion, is communicated to a large plunger by means
of water forced into the cylinder in which it moves, by a
forcing pump of small diameter, to which the power is
applied, the principle involved being the same as in the
hydrostatic bellows. Also called {hydraulic press}, and
{Bramah press}. In the illustration, a is a pump with a
small plunger b, which forces the water into the cylinder
c, thus driving upward the large plunder d, which performs
the reduced work, such as compressing cotton bales, etc.
[1913 Webster]