hi:t n. & v. --n. 1 a
the condition of
being hot. b the
sensation or
perception of
this. c
high temperature of the
body. 2
Physics a a
form of
energy arising
from the
random motion of the molecules of bodies,
which may be transferred by
conduction,
convection, or
radiation. b the
amount of this needed to
cause a
specific process, or evolved in a process (heat of
formation; heat of solution). 3 hot
weather (succumbed to the heat). 4 a warmth of
feeling. b
anger or excitement (the heat of the argument). 5 (foll. by of) the
most intense part or
period of an
activity (in the heat of the battle). 6 a (usu.
preliminary or trial)
round in a race or
contest. 7 the
receptive period of the
sexual cycle,
esp. in
female mammals. 8 redness of the
skin with a sensation of heat (prickly heat). 9 pungency of
flavour. 10 sl.
intensive pursuit, e.g. by the
police. --v. 1 tr. & intr.
make or
become hot or
warm. 2 tr.
inflame;
excite or
intensify. øheat
barrier the
limitation of the
speed of an
aircraft etc. by heat resulting from
air friction. heat
capacity thermal capacity. heat
death Physics a
state of
uniform distribution of energy to which the
universe is thought to be tending. heat
engine a
device for producing
motive power from heat. heat-exchanger a device for the
transfer of heat from
one medium to
another. heat pump a device for the transfer of heat from a colder
area to a hotter area by using
mechanical energy. heat-resistant =
HEATPROOF. heat-seeking (of a
missile etc.)
able to
detect infrared radiation to
guide it to
its target. heat
shield a device for
protection from
excessive heat, esp.
fitted to a
spacecraft. heat
sink a device or
substance for
absorbing excessive or
unwanted heat. heat-treat
subject to heat
treatment. heat treatment the
use of heat to
modify the properties of a
metal etc. heat
wave a period of
very hot weather. in the heat of the
moment during or resulting from intense activity,
without pause for thought. on heat (of mammals, esp. females) sexually receptive.
turn the heat on colloq.
concentrate an
attack or
criticism on (a person). [OE hótu f. Gmc]