n.
Pronunciation: ' th ə r-m ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek therm ē
Date: 1756
1 [Latin thermae public baths, from Greek thermai, plural of therm ē ] : of, relating to, or marked by the presence of hot springs < thermal waters>
2 a : of, relating to, or caused by heat < thermal stress> < thermal insulation> b : being or involving a state of matter dependent upon temperature < thermal conductivity> < thermal agitation of molecular structure> c : having low energies of the order of those due to thermal agitation < thermal neutrons>
3 : designed (as with insulating air spaces) to prevent the dissipation of body heat < thermal underwear>
– ther · mal · ly \ -m ə -l ē \ adverb