Field of Science

Weird Words of Science 6: adiabatic

adiabatic Describes a process in which no heat is gained or lost by the system. Comes from the Greek for not (α) through δια) passable (βατωσ). In other words, the heat doesn't pass through. The terms seems to have been coined by William Rankine in 1859.

Decode this one, coined in the 18th century? adiapneustia

2 comments:

  1. good translation...but in this case, not breathing through the pores..i.e. defective perspiration!

    just the post for sultry july....

    ReplyDelete


Markup Key:
- <b>bold</b> = bold
- <i>italic</i> = italic
- <a href="http://www.fieldofscience.com/">FoS</a> = FoS