ˌthermo-eˈlectric, a. (n.)
[f. thermo- + electric.]
1. Of or pertaining to thermo-electricity; characterized or operated by an electric current produced by difference of temperature. thermo-electric battery, thermo-electric current, thermo-electric pair, thermo-electric pile: see quot. 1876.
| 1823 Cumming in Ann. Philos. Sept. 177 (heading) A List of Substances arranged according to their Thermoelectric Relations, with a Description of Instruments for exhibiting Rotation by Thermoelectricity. 1832 Nat. Philos. II. Electro-Magnet. xiii. §305. 93 (Usef. Knowl. Soc.) The electrical current thus excited has been termed Thermo-electric, in order to distinguish it from the common galvanic current. 1842 Francis Dict. Arts, etc., Thermo-Electric Circuit,..Piles,..Thermometer. 1863 Tyndall Heat i. (1870) App. 77 A thermo-electric pair or couple. c 1865 J. Wylde in Circ. Sc. I. 29/1 We observe the thermo-electric battery. 1876 Preece & Sivewright Telegraphy 298 A current of electricity will continue to flow so long as a difference of temperature is maintained between the junction and the extremities. This current is named a thermo-electric current, and the two metals form what is known as a thermo-electric pair; a combination of these pairs forms the thermo-electric pile or battery. 1878 Gurney Crystallogr. 115 Crystals sometimes acquire different electrifications when two ends are..differently heated... These crystals are called thermo-electric. 1902 Sloane Stand. Electr. Dict., Thermo-electric Telephone, a telephone transmitter including a thermo-electric battery placed in circuit with the line. |
2. Of or pertaining to heat and electricity; thermo-electric alarm or thermo-electric call, a device in which a rise or fall of temperature to a pre-arranged point closes an electric circuit so as to cause a bell to ring.
| 1877 Knight Dict. Mech., Thermo-electric-Alarm, an apparatus designed to indicate the rise of temperature in bearings for shaftings, or in any kind of machinery or any branch of manufacture where a fixed temperature is desirable. 1902 Sloane Stand. Electr. Dict., Thermo-electric Call, a thermostat arranged to ring a bell or give some indication when the temperature rises or falls beyond certain points. |
† B. n. (See quot. 1842.) Obs.
| 1823 Cumming in Ann. Philos. Sept. 179 The motion of the thermoelectrics on the approach of a magnet. 1842 Francis Dict. Arts, etc., Thermo-Electrics, metallic bodies, the union of which show[s] the effects attributed to thermo-electricity. |
So thermo-eˈlectrical a.; hence thermo-eˈlectrically adv., in a thermo-electric manner; by means of thermo-electricity.
| 1830 Edinb. Encycl. XVIII. 584/1 Professor Oersted has proposed to call the current discovered by Dr. Seebeck the thermo-electrical current. 1878 Chrystal in Encycl. Brit. VIII. 94/2 A thermoelectric series, any metal in which is thermoelectrically related to any following one. 1881 Athenæum 29 Jan. 169/3 A thermo-electrical pile, one end of which is exposed to the heat, the other end being kept cool. 1895 Electrician 13 Sept. 637/1 He also considered the possibility of the back E.M.F. being produced thermo⁓electrically. 1979 Nature 11 Oct. 498/1 (caption) Photo⁓multiplier in..thermoelectrically cooled housing. |