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thermodynamics

 - 6 dictionary results

ther⋅mo⋅dy⋅nam⋅ics

  [thur-moh-dahy-nam-iks]
Use thermodynamics in a Sentence
–noun (used with a singular verb)
the science concerned with the relations between heat and mechanical energy or work, and the conversion of one into the other: modern thermodynamics deals with the properties of systems for the description of which temperature is a necessary coordinate.
Origin:
1850–55; thermo- + dynamics

Related forms:
ther⋅mo⋅dy⋅nam⋅i⋅cist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To thermodynamics
ther·mo·dy·nam·ics   (thûr'mō-dī-nām'ĭks)   
n.  

  1. (used with a sing. verb) Physics that deals with the relationships and conversions between heat and other forms of energy.

  2. (used with a pl. verb) Thermodynamic phenomena and processes.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

thermodynamics

The branch of physics devoted to the study of heat and related phenomena. The behavior of heat is governed by the three laws of thermodynamics: (1) The total energy of an isolated system cannot change; this is the law of conservation of energy. (2) Heat will not flow from a cold to a hot object spontaneously (see entropy). (3) It is impossible, in a finite number of operations, to produce a temperature of absolute zero.

Note: All thermodynamic properties of matter can be understood in terms of the motion of atoms and molecules.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

thermodynamics 
theory of relationship between heat and mechanical energy, 1854, from adj. thermodynamic (1849), from thermo- + dynamic.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ther·mo·dy·nam·ics
Pronunciation: -iks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
1 : physics that deals with the mechanical action or relations of heat
2 : thermodynamic processes and phenomena
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

thermodynamics ther·mo·dy·nam·ics (thûr'mō-dī-nām'ĭks)
n.

  1. Physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy.

  2. Thermodynamic phenomena and processes.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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