homœothermism Zool.
(hɒmiːəʊˈθɜːmɪz(ə)m)
Usu. homoio-; also homeo-.
[f. prec. + -ism.]
The maintenance or possession of an almost constant body temperature. Also ˈhomœothermy, in the same sense.
| 1903 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B. CXCV. 36 During the cold weather Echidna abandons all attempts at homœothermism and hibernates for four months. 1928 Pearse & Hall Homoiothermism xii. 91 Homoiothermism apparently had its origin at the time when the great dinosaurs were becoming extinct. 1961 Webster, Homoiothermy, homeothermy. 1966 W. S. Hoar Gen. & Compar. Physiol. x. 321 Increasing complexity of organization (especially behavioral organization) makes homeothermy a necessity. 1972 Sci. Amer. June 71/2 Maintaining homeothermy is energetically expensive. |