Thermal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈθɝmÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)mÉ™l

Origin

From French thermal, from New Latin *thermalis, from Ancient Greek θέρμη (thermē, "heat").

Full definition of thermal

Noun

1. (meteorology) A column of rising air in the lower atmosphere created by uneven heating of Earth's surface.

Synonyms

• thermal column

Adjective

1. Pertaining to heat or temperature.
• 2013, Charles T. Ambrose, Alzheimer’s Disease, Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems—surgical foam, a thermal gel depot, a microcapsule or biodegradable polymer beads.
2. (fabric) Providing efficient insulation so as to keep the body warm.

Derived terms

• thermally

Related terms

• therm
• thermo-