ADIATHERMANCY Meaning and
Definition
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Adiathermancy, derived from the Greek words "a" (meaning without) and "diatherma" (meaning heat transmittance), refers to the quality or property of a material or substance that prevents or significantly restricts the transmission of heat. It describes the ability of a substance to resist the transfer of heat energy by conduction, convection, or radiation.
In simpler terms, adiathermancy is the characteristic of a material to act as a barrier against the flow of heat. This property is often observed in materials that possess a low thermal conductivity, meaning they do not allow heat to pass through them easily.
The concept of adiathermancy is particularly relevant in engineering and building construction, where insulation materials are utilized to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, reduce energy consumption, and improve energy efficiency. These insulating materials, such as fiberglass, foam boards, and reflective coatings, are designed to exhibit adiathermancy, which helps impede the transfer of heat between different spaces.
Furthermore, adiathermancy can also apply to biological tissues or organisms. For instance, certain animals, like polar bears or arctic foxes, possess thick fur and a layer of blubber that serves as insulation, keeping their bodies warm by preventing heat loss to the environment. This biological adiathermancy allows these creatures to thrive in extremely cold climates.
Overall, adiathermancy is a property that describes the ability of a material or organism to resist the transfer of heat and maintain thermal insulation or protection against temperature fluctuations.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ADIATHERMANCY
- zdiathermancy
- wdiathermancy
- qdiathermancy
- asiathermancy
- axiathermancy
- aciathermancy
- afiathermancy
- ariathermancy
- aeiathermancy
- aduathermancy
- adjathermancy
- adkathermancy
- adoathermancy
- ad9athermancy
- ad8athermancy
- adizthermancy
- adisthermancy
- adiwthermancy
- adiqthermancy
- adiarhermancy
Etymology of ADIATHERMANCY
The word "adiathermancy" is derived from Greek roots. It combines the prefix "a-" meaning "not" or "without", the Greek word "diátherma" meaning "warmth", and the suffix "-ancy" which indicates a state or quality.
"Diátherma", in turn, is derived from the Greek words "dí-" meaning "through" and "thérmai" meaning "heat". It refers to the ability of a substance to transmit or conduct heat. When combined with the prefix "a-" to create "adiathermancy", it implies the state or quality of being unable to transmit or conduct heat.
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