thermal

[ thur-muh l ]
/ ˈθɜr məl /

adjective

Also thermic. of, relating to, or caused by heat or temperature: thermal capacity.
of, relating to, or of the nature of thermae: thermal waters.
designed to aid in or promote the retention of body heat: a thermal blanket.

noun

Meteorology. a rising air current caused by heating from the underlying surface, especially such a current when not producing a cloud.
thermals. thermal underwear.

Origin of thermal

First recorded in 1750–60; therm- + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM thermal

Words nearby thermal

therm., therma, thermacogenesis, thermae, thermaesthesia, thermal, thermal analysis, thermal anesthesia, thermal barrier, thermal capacity, thermal conductance

British Dictionary definitions for hyperthermal

thermal
/ (ˈθɜːməl) /

adjective

Also: thermic (ˈθɜːmɪk) of, relating to, caused by, or generating heat or increased temperature
hot or warm thermal baths; thermal spring
(of garments or fabrics) specially designed so as to have exceptional heat-retaining properties

noun

meteorol a column of rising air caused by local unequal heating of the land surface, and used by gliders and birds to gain height
(plural) thermal garments, esp underclothes

Derived forms of thermal

thermally, adverb

Medical definitions for hyperthermal

thermal
[ thûr′məl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, using, producing, or caused by heat.
Intended or designed in such a way as to help retain body heat.

Scientific definitions for hyperthermal

thermal
[ thûr′məl ]

Adjective

Relating to heat.

Noun

A usually columnar mass of warm air that rises in the lower atmosphere because it is less dense than the air around it. Thermals form because the ground surface is heated unevenly by the Sun. The air usually rises until it is in equilibrium with the air surrounding it.