/kal"euh ree/ , n.
1. Thermodynam.
a. Also called gram calorie, small calorie . an amount of heat exactly equal to 4.1840 joules. Abbr.: cal
b. ( usually cap. ) kilocalorie. Abbr.: Cal
2. Physiol.
a. a unit equal to the kilocalorie, used to express the heat output of an organism and the fuel or energy value of food.
b. a quantity of food capable of producing such an amount of energy.
Also, calory .
[ 1800-10; calor- ( calor heat) + -ie -Y 3 ]