thermal unit

1 definition found

thermal unit - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Thermal \Ther"mal\, a. [L. thermae hot springs, fr. Gr. ?, pl.
     of ? heat, fr. ? hot, warm, ? to warm, make hot; perhaps akin
     to L. formus warm, and E. forceps.]
     1. Of or pertaining to heat; warm; hot; as, the thermal unit;
        thermal waters.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The thermal condition of the earth.   --J. D.
                                                    Forbes.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. caused by or affected by heat; as, thermal springs.
        [PJC]
  
     3. designed to retain heat; as, thermal underwear.
        [PJC]
  
     Thermal conductivity, Thermal spectrum. See under
        Conductivity, and Spectrum.
  
     Thermal unit (Physics), a unit chosen for the comparison or
        calculation of quantities of heat. The unit most commonly
        employed is the amount of heat necessary to raise the
        temperature of one gram or one pound of water from zero to
        one degree Centigrade. See Calorie, and under Unit.
        [1913 Webster]