[mod.L., f. THERMO- + Gr. τάξις arrangement: see TAXIS.]
1. Physiol. That function of the nervous system on which the normal temperature of the body depends; the regulation of the bodily heat.
1891. in Cent. Dict.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 150. It may be assumed that thermotaxis is conducted by a ‘centre’ or ‘centres.’ Ibid., 156. What they do not prove is that fever is nothing more than a disorder of thermotaxis. Ibid. (1899), VII. 341. The tuber cinereum, which he regards as the true centre of thermotaxis.
2. Biol. Movement or stimulation in a living body caused by heat: cf. TAXIS 6.
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, Thermotaxis, changes produced by warmth.
1902. Max Verworn, in Encycl. Brit., XXXI. 715/1. Cases of directive stimulation … have been designated … positive or negative Chemotaxis, Phototaxis, Thermotaxis, Galvanotaxis, and so forth.
Hence Thermotaxic a. = THERMOTACTIC.
1877. Foster, Phys., II. v. (1878), 378. This at first sight looked like the indication of a thermotaxic mechanism, rendered inactive by the condition of fever.
1899. Syd. Soc. Lex., Thermotaxic, same as Thermotactic.
