from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Thermophilic \Ther`mo*phil"ic\, a. [Thermo- + Gr. ? loving +
-ic.]
Heat-loving; -- applied especially to microorganisms such as
certain bacteria, fungi and algae, which grow best at
temperatures above 40[deg] C (e.g. between 50[deg] and
60[deg]), and in some cases at temperatures that would kill
ordinary microorganisms. They are found in naturally hot
locations, such as at hot springs or the thermal vents at the
ocean bottom.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]