ˈhȯˌthȯrn-, -ˌthȯ(ə)n- noun
Usage: usually capitalized H
Etymology: from the Hawthorne Works of the Western Electric Co., Cicero, Ill., where the effect's existence was established by experiment
: the stimulation to increase output or accomplishment (as in an industrial or educational methods study) that results from the mere fact of being under concerned observation ; also : such an increase in output or accomplishment