bolometer
UK /bəʊ̯ˈlɒm.ɪ.tə/ · US /boʊ̯ˈlɔm.ɪ.təɹ/ noun
Forms bolometers
- noun (physics) A sensitive device for detecting and measuring the energy of electromagnetic radiation.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek βολή (bolḗ, “a throw, the stroke”) + English -o- + -meter. Coined by American physicist, pioneer of aviation, and 3rd Secretary of the Smithsonian Samuel Langley in 1878.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An instrument for measuring minute quantities of radiant heat, especially in different parts of the spectrum; --called also actinic balance, thermic balance. S. P. Langley.
Etymology [Gr. a stroke, ray + -meter.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “bolometer”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details