before a vowel usually therm- (but often in full form), repr. Gr. θερμο-, combining form of θερμό-ς hot, θέρμη heat; entering into many scientific and technical terms, as THERMOCHEMISTRY, THERMODYNAMIC, THERMOGRAPH, THERMOMETER, THERMOSCOPE, etc., q.v., and their derivatives; also in the following words of less frequent use or more recent formation. (In some of these thermo- is used as an abbreviation of THERMO-ELECTRIC.)
Thermelæometer [Gr. ἔλαιον oil: see -METER], an apparatus for measuring the heat evolved by mixing concentrated sulphuric acid with various fixed oils. ǁ Thermo-æsthesia = THERMÆSTHESIA. ǁ Thermo-anæsthesia = THERMANÆSTHESIA. Thermoaqueous a.: see quot. Thermobarograph, an instrument which simultaneously records temperature and atmospheric pressure. Thermobarometer, a name given to two distinct modifications of the barometer: see quots. Thermo-battery, short for thermo-electric battery. Thermo-calcite [CALCITE], a name for non-crystalline limestones. Thermo-call, (a) a fire-alarm operated by a thermo-electric battery; (b) an electric fire-alarm in which the circuit is closed automatically when the temperature reaches a certain point. Thermo-cautery, any form of actual cautery; spec. a hollow platinum cautery in which heat is maintained by means of benzine or gasolene vapor. Thermo-cell, a thermo-electric cell or couple. Thermochaotic a., of or pertaining to disintegration or dissolution by heat. Thermocline [Gr. κλίνειν to incline], a temperature gradient; esp. an abrupt temperature gradient occurring in a body of water. Thermo-couple, short for thermo-electric couple (see COUPLE sb. 12). Thermo-current, the electric current produced in a thermo-electric battery; also (nonce-use) a stream of warm air or water. Thermo-diffusion, diffusion of heat. Thermodynamometer, a sensitive thermometer in which the thermometric substance is the saturated vapor of some volatile liquid supporting a column of mercury. Thermo-elastic a., pertaining to elasticity in connection with heat. Thermo-electrometer, an instrument for measuring the heating power of an electric current, or for determining the strength of a current by the heat produced. Thermo-electromotive a., of, pertaining to, or of the nature of electromotive force produced by heat; = THERMO-ELECTRIC 1. Thermo-electroscope, an instrument for indicating temperature electrically, as a thermopile. Thermo-element, a thermo-electric couple as an element of a battery. Thermo-excitory a.: see quot. 1899. Thermo-expansive a., expanding under the influence of heat. Thermo-focal a., of or pertaining to the focal length of a lens as influenced by heat. Thermo-galvanometer, a thermo-electric instrument for measuring small electric currents. Thermo-gauge, a form of pyrometer (Cent. Dict., Suppl.). Thermo-geographical a., pertaining to the geographical distribution and variation of temperature; so Thermo-geography, the study of this. Thermo-hydrology [Gr. ὔδωρ water], the scientific study of thermal waters. Thermo-hydrometer, a combined instrument showing the temperature and density of a liquid. Thermo-hygrograph [Gr. ὑγρός moist], a combined instrument recording the temperature and the humidity of the air. Thermo-hygroscope [-SCOPE], a combined instrument indicating the temperature and humidity of the air. Thermo-inhibitory a., pertaining to the prevention of undue heat in the body; applied to a part or function of the nervous system (Billings, 1890). Thermo-isopleth [Gr. ἰσοπληθ-ής equal in quantity, number, etc.]: see quot. Thermo-junction, the junction of two metals in a thermo-couple. Thermokinematics, the theory of the motion of heat. Thermo-lamp: see quot. Thermo-luminescence, luminescence resulting from exposure to high temperature; hence Thermo-luminescent a., characterized by or pertaining to thermo-luminescence. Thermo-magnetic a., pertaining to or of the nature of thermo-magnetism. Thermo-magnetism, magnetism caused or modified by the action of heat. Thermo-manometer [MANOMETER], an instrument for measuring at the same time the temperature and elasticity of vapor. Thermo-metamorphic a., of or pertaining to thermo-metamorphism. Thermo-metamorphism, Geol., metamorphism produced by the action of heat. Thermo-motive a., of, pertaining to, or caused by heat applied to produce motion, as in a thermo-motor. Thermo-motor, an engine driven by the expansive power of heated air or gas. Thermo-neutrality, neutrality in relation to temperature. Thermo-pair = thermo-couple. Thermo-palpation: see quot. 1899. Thermopegology [Gr. πηγή spring], the scientific study of thermal springs. Thermophagy [-PHAGY]: see quot. 1899. Thermophore [-PHORE], a portable heating apparatus: see quots. Thermophyllite, Min. [Gr. φύλλον leaf; A. E. Nordenskiöld, 1855, in Swedish], a light brown variety of serpentine which exfoliates when heated, found in aggregate masses of small scaly crystals. Thermoplastic a., capable of being molded or bent by heat. ǁ Thermoplegia Path. [Gr. πληγή stroke], heat-stroke. Thermo-radiometer: see quot. Thermo-regulator, an apparatus for regulating temperature; a thermostat. Thermosynthesis, chemical combination due to the action of heat. Thermosystaltic a., of or pertaining to systaltic motion due to heat. Thermotelephone, a thermo-electric telephone. Thermo-tensile a., of or pertaining to cohesive power as affected by temperature. Thermo-tension, tension or strain applied to material at a specified temperature to increase or test its tensile power. Thermotherapy (also in Gr.-L. form -therapeia) [Gr. θεραπεία medical treatment], treatment of disease by heat. Thermotoxin, a poison developed in the body by heat. Thermo-unstable a. = THERMOLABILE. Thermo-voltaic a., of or pertaining to the thermal effects of voltaic electricity, or to heat and voltaic electricity.
1890. Jrnl. Soc. Chem. Industry, IX. 113. The heat evolved by mixing the oil with sulphuric acid is determined by means of the … apparatus named by the author [F. Jean, in J. Pharm. Chim. (1889), XX. 337] *‘Thermeleometer.’
1909. Cent. Dict., Suppl., *Thermoæsthesia.
1890. Billings, Nat. Med. Dict., *Thermo-anæsthesia.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 47. There was complete thermo-anæsthesia below the second rib.
1881. Raymond, Mining Gloss., *Thermo-aqueous, produced by, or related to, the action of heated waters.
1891. Cent. Dict., *Thermobarograph.
1864. Webster, *Thermobarometer, a barometric instrument graduated for giving altitudes by the boiling point of water.
1868. Watts, Dict. Chem., V. 761. Thermobarometer.… Applied by Belloni to a syphon-barometer having its two wide legs united by a narrow tube, so that it could be used either in its ordinary position as a barometer, or in the reversed position as a thermometer.
1849. Noad, Electricity (ed. 3), 427. In order to effect the decomposition of water, Mr. Watkins employs a massive *thermo-battery, with pairs of bismuth and antimony.
1888. Cassell’s Encycl. Dict., *Thermo-calcite.
1895. Funk’s Standard Dict., *Thermo-call.
1902. Sloane, Stand. Electr. Dict., Thermo Call, (a) An electric alarm or call bell operated by thermo-electric currents…. (b) See Thermo-electric Call.
1879. Bryant, Pract. Surg., II. 6. The galvano-caustic or *thermo-cautery is superior to any.
1907. Daily News, 13 Nov., 11/1. The adoption of this method of telephony was made possible by the invention of a *thermo-cell for use in the receiving circuit.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., *Thermochaotic.
1898. Nat. Science, May, 297. As regards the production of the *Thermocline, Prof. Birge believes that, in Lake Mendota at least, it is due to the concurrence of gentle winds and hot weather.
1902. Nature, 6 Nov., 16/1. Throughout the circulating water above the thermocline, oxygen was abundant, but carbonic acid was absent…. Just below the thermocline both gases were present.
1890. Lond., Edin. & Dubl. Philos. Mag., Feb., 141. A practical method for the calibration of *thermocouples by aid of boiling-points.
1901. Nature, 23 May, 92/2. The temperatures were measured with the thermocouple.
1849. Noad, Electricity (ed. 3), 428. Dr. Andrews … succeeded in obtaining chemical decompositions, by this peculiar *thermo-current.
a. 1859. G. Wilson, Relig. Chem. (1862), 16. A sleeper in a confined chamber could gain nothing from the winds, or thermo-currents, or the far-off sea.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., *Thermo-diffusion, diffusion (of gas) by inequalities of temperature.
1909. Cent. Dict., Suppl., *Thermodynamometer.
1903. Science Abstracts, VI. 130. To represent the *thermo-elastic properties of gases, liquids, and solids as the statical properties of monocyclic systems.
1842. Francis, Dict. Arts, etc., Clarke’s … *Thermo-Electrometer,… an instrument which professes to ascertain the deflagrating, or heating power of an electric current.
1849. Noad, Electricity (ed. 3), 247. The instrument employed was a Harris’s thermo-electrometer.
1890. Lond., Edin. & Dubl. Philos. Mag., Feb., 146. *Thermoelectromotive forces are … expressed in terms of a fixed standard, the torsional rigidity of the platinum wire.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., *Thermo-electroscope.
1888. Cassell’s Encycl. Dict., *Thermo-element.
1891. Cent. Dict., *Thermo-excitory.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., Thermo-excitory, having the function of exciting the production of heat.
1854. J. Scoffern, in Orr’s Circ. Sc., Chem., 118. A *thermo-expansive material.
1903. Science, 27 Feb., 333. A study of the *thermo-focal changes in long focus lenses.
1867. Chambers’ Encycl., IX. 401/2. Special galvanometers … in which the coil wire is short … and thick … are called *thermo-galvanometers.
1902. Sloane, Stand. Electr. Dict., App., Thermo-Galvanometer, a galvanometer whose needle is suspended in a special form of thermo-electric couple … used to measure small amounts of radiant energy.
1895. C. L. Madsen (title), *Thermo-geographical Studies: General Exposition of the Analytical Method applied to Researches on Temperature and Climate. Ibid. (1897). Advt., Articles on the subject of *Thermo-Geography will be most thankfully received.
1881. Peale, in 12th Rep. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Survey, II. (1883), 355. *Thermo-hydrology.
1884. Athenæum, 16 Aug., 211/2. The chapters on *‘Thermo-hydrology’ give evidences of a thoroughly scientific observer.
1894. Brit. Jrnl. Photogr., XLI. 43. Mr. W. E. Hales exhibited Fletcher’s *Thermo-hydrometer.
1901. Pop. Sc. Monthly, Dec., 186. An interesting figure shows the *‘thermo-isopleths’ for Berlin, these lines indicating, in one drawing, both the diurnal and the annual march of the air temperature.
1889. L. E. & D. Philos. Mag., Sept., 213. If the heat generated were immediately communicated to the *thermo-junction.
1903. Times, 10 Sept., 10/4. A number of thermo-junctions of the platinum metals for use up to the highest temperatures have also been studied.
1871. Clerk Maxwell, Heat, Introd. 9. The theory of the equilibrium of heat might be called Thermostatics, and that of the motion of heat *Thermokinematics.
1828. Webster, *Thermolamp, an instrument for furnishing light by means of inflammable gas. Med. Repos.
1897. J. J. Thomson, in Smithsonian Rep. (1898), 158. The phenomenon called by its discoverer, Prof. E. Wiedemann, *thermoluminescence.
1898. Sir W. Crookes, Addr. Brit. Assoc., 22. Fluor-spar, which by prolonged heating has lost its power of luminescing when re-heated, regains the power of thermo-luminescence when exposed to Röntgen rays.
1906. J. B. Burke, Orig. Life, xiii. 241. Many substances, when warmed, possess the power of radiating energy which they had previously stored up in some other way: a phenomenon which is known as Thermoluminescence.
1899. A. S. Herschel, in Nature, 11 May, 29/2. A very moderate degree of heat suffices to expel completely from minerals … all the store of *thermoluminescent energy which … they more or less abundantly possess.
1823. T. S. Triall, in Ann. Philos., N. S. VI. Dec., 449. Having been lately engaged in some *thermomagnetic experiments.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., *Thermo-magnetism, the same as Thermo-electricity.
1864. in Webster.
1883. Athenæum, 9 June, 736/1. The use of a *thermo-manometer, which would indicate whether the vapour pressure is below that to be expected from the temperature of the water.
1889. Harker, in Geol. Mag., VI. 17. The interpolation of *thermo-metamorphic rocks. Ibid., 16. High temperature and low pressure (*thermo-metamorphism).
1881. Watts, Dict. Chem., VIII. 985. The term *thermo-neutrality is employed … to express the fact that the quantity of heat evolved or absorbed when a salt is dissolved in water already containing equivalent quantities of other salts, is, for the most part, the same that it would be if the former salt were dissolved in pure water.
1807. Joyce, Sci. Dial., Electr., vi. (1846), 424. Delicate *thermo-pairs have been used to obtain the temperature of the human body.
1891. Cent. Dict., *Thermopalpation.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., Thermo-palpation, palpation of the surface of the body, with a view of determining local or general variations of temperature.
1888. Cassell’s Encycl. Dict., *Thermo-pegology.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., *Thermophagy.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., Thermophagy, the habit of swallowing very hot food.
1900. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 5 May, 1105. To sterilise this instrument [i.e., a catheter] … with a small pocket *thermophore.
1901. Lancet, 9 Nov., 1297/2. The introduction of a ring-shaped thermophore.
1868. Dana, Min., 465. *Thermophyllite.
1883. Fisheries Exhib. Catal., 63. *Thermoplastic Splints, likewise Splints for Fractures and Broken Bones.
1909. Cent. Dict., Suppl., *Thermoplegia.
1876. Catal. Sci. App. S. Kens. Mus., § 1056. *Thermo-radiometer, [an instrument] for measuring losses of heat by radiation from walls of furnaces, sides of steam boilers, etc.
1875. Watts, Dict. Chem., VII. 1153. An automatic *thermo-regulator for use in the preparation of nitrous oxide and other gases.
1899. Cagney, Jaksch’s Clin. Diagn., x. (ed. 4), 446. Or these [thermostats] the author uses the thermoregulator of L. Meyer.
1895. Funk’s Standard Dict., *Thermosystaltic.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., Thermosystaltic, muscular contraction due to heat.
1884. Knight, Dict. Mech., Suppl., *Thermo-telephone.
1891. Cent. Dict., s.v. Thermotensile, Elaborate *thermotensile experiments on iron and steel, especially with reference to boiler-iron.
1847. Webster, *Thermotension.
1860. E. Wilson (title), *Thermo-therapeia: the heat cure. Ibid., 3. Thermo-therapeia is the application of atmospheric air at a high temperature to the surface of the body, for the relief of pain and disease.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., *Thermotherapy.
1902. W. Winternitz (title), Hydrotherapy, Thermotherapy, Heliotherapy, and Phototherapy.
1902. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 5 April, 846. To demonstrate two very different forms of complement—one a *thermo-unstable, and the other a thermo-stable.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., *Thermo-voltaic.
