endothermic
|en-do-ther-mic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɛn.doʊˈθɜr.mɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɛn.dəʊˈθɜː.mɪk/
absorbs heat (related to internal heat)
Etymology
'endothermic' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'endon' and 'therme', where 'endon' meant 'within' and 'therme' meant 'heat'.
'endothermic' changed from New Latin/scientific coinage formed from Greek 'endon' + 'therme' (as in 'endotherm') and eventually became the modern English adjective 'endothermic'.
Initially, it meant 'pertaining to internal heat', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'absorbing heat' (in chemistry) and 'producing/maintaining internal heat' (in biology).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
(Chemistry/Physics) Describing a process or reaction that absorbs heat from its surroundings; requiring net input of heat.
The dissolution of ammonium nitrate in water is an endothermic process that causes the solution to become colder.
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Adjective 2
(Biology) Pertaining to organisms that maintain body temperature predominantly by internal metabolic heat production; warm-blooded.
Many mammals and birds are endothermic, allowing them to remain active in a wide range of temperatures.
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Last updated: 2026/01/07 16:41