Fixed, p. a.

(fĭkst), p. a. Settled; established; firm.

Fixed air (Chem.), an invisible fluid, heavier than common air, and fatal to animal life;—called also aerial acid, cretaceous acid, and more generally carbonic acid.—Fixed ammunition (Mil.), ammunition composed of the powder and projectile firmly united together, so as to be inserted into a fire-arm at the same time.—Fixed bodies, those which can not be volatilized or separated by a common menstruum, without great difficulty, as gold, platinum, lime, &c. Francis.—Fixed oils or alkalies (Chem.), such as remain in a permanent state, and are not readily volatilized;—so called in distinction from volatile oils or alkalies.—Fixed stars (Astron.), such stars as always retain nearly the same apparent position and distance with respect to each other, thus distinguished from planets and comets.