baroclinity
|ba-ro-clin-i-ty|
/ˌbærəˈklɪnɪti/
pressure-density misalignment
Etymology
'baroclinity' originates from the adjective 'baroclinic', formed with the noun-forming suffix '-ity'. The element 'baro-' comes from Greek 'baros' meaning 'weight' or 'pressure', and the element 'clinic'/ 'clini-' derives from Greek 'klinein' meaning 'to lean'.
'baroclinic' entered meteorological usage in scientific languages (including German and English) in the late 19th to early 20th century from Greek elements 'baros' and 'klinein'; later the noun 'baroclinity' was formed to denote the state or degree of being baroclinic.
Initially used to describe the sloping relationship of pressure and density surfaces (being 'baroclinic'); over time the derived noun 'baroclinity' came to be used for the state or degree of that condition without major change in core meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the condition or degree of baroclinicity in a fluid, where surfaces of constant pressure are not parallel to surfaces of constant density, often leading to thermal wind and baroclinic instability.
Baroclinity in the midlatitude atmosphere contributes to development of extratropical cyclones.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 22:08