thermal
Definitions
Relating to heat or temperature
热的；与温度有关的
(of clothing) designed to retain body heat
（衣物）保暖的
A rising column of warm air, used by birds and gliders to gain height
上升暖气流（鸟类和滑翔机借此升高）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtherm (heat) + -al (relating to) = "relating to heat." From this come all three senses: thermal energy (physics), thermal underwear (clothing that holds body heat), and a thermal — a column of warm air rising because it is heated.
Root therm still carries 3 more wordsUsage Guide
- Science/engineering: thermal energy, thermal expansion, thermal imaging — neutral technical use.
- Clothing: thermals (plural noun) = warm base-layer garments. "I wore my thermals."
- Gliding/aviation: a thermal = a warm updraft; pilots and birds "catch a thermal" to gain altitude.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Solar panels convert sunlight into thermal energy to heat the water.
- 2.
She packed thermal underwear for the trip to the mountains.
- 3.
The eagle circled upward, riding a thermal high above the valley.