Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - thermal

adj. & n. --adj. 1 of, for, or producing heat. 2 promoting the retention of heat (thermal underwear). --n. a rising current of heated air (used by gliders, balloons, and birds to gain height). Phrases and idioms British thermal unit the amount of heat needed to raise 1 lb. of water at maximum density through one degree Fahrenheit, equivalent to 1.055 x 10(3) joules. thermal capacity the number of heat units needed to raise the temperature of a body by one degree. thermal neutron a neutron in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings. thermal reactor a nuclear reactor using thermal neutrons. thermal springs springs of naturally hot water. thermal unit a unit for measuring heat. Derivatives thermalize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). thermalization n. thermally adv. Etymology: F (as THERM)