a. [f. Gr. θερμωτικός (Plutarch Q. Conv. 715 C) warming, calorific: used in modified sense to match acoustic, optic, etc.] Of or pertaining to heat; esp. relating to thermotics. So Thermotical a., in same sense (hence Thermotically adv.); Thermotics sb. pl., the science of heat, thermology.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc., VIII. Introd. II. 293. Acoustics, Optics, and Thermotics. Ibid., X. Introd. 465. I employ the term Thermotics, to include all the doctrines respecting Heat. Ibid., X. i. § 4. 481. They require the light of thermotical calculations.
1858. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), II. vii. 362. Fourier … employed himself in raising thermotics to a science.
1874. trans. Lommel’s Light, 201. In the spectrum of a flint-glass prism the apex of the thermotic curve is situated outside the apparent spectrum in the ultra-red region.
1879. S. Highley, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 234/1. Optical, acoustic, and thermotic demonstrations in the lecture-room.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., Thermotically.
