noun
also cal·o·ry ˈkal(ə)rē, -i
( plural calories )
Etymology: French calorie, from Latin calor heat + French -ie -y — more at caloric
: any of several thermal units:
a. : the amount of heat required at a pressure of one atmosphere to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree centigrade especially from 15° to 16° — abbr. cal ; called also gram calorie, small calorie
b. capitalized
(1) : the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree centigrade : 1000 gram calories or 3.968 Btu — abbr. Cal ; called also kilogram calorie, large calorie
(2) : a unit expressing a heat-producing or energy-producing value in food that when oxidized in the body is capable of releasing one large calorie of energy
(3) : an amount of food (as in a diet) having an energy-producing value of one large calorie
c. : 1/100 of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water from 0° to 100° C — called also mean calorie