thermal unit

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.
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            The thermal condition of the earth.   --J. D.
                                                  Forbes.
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   2. caused by or affected by heat; as, thermal springs.
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   3. designed to retain heat; as, thermal underwear.
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   {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}.
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