hygrometer

American  

[hahy-grom-i-ter] / haɪˈgrɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. any instrument for measuring the water-vapor content of the atmosphere.

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hygrometer British  

/ ˌhaɪɡrəˈmɛtrɪk, haɪˈɡrɒmɪtə /

noun

1. any of various instruments for measuring humidity

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hygrometer Scientific  

/ hī-grŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. Any of several instruments that measure humidity. The most common type of hygrometer consists of two, side-by-side mercury or electronic thermometers, one of which has a dry bulb, and one of which has a bulb wrapped with a wet cotton or linen wick. As water evaporates from the wet bulb, it absorbs heat from the thermometer, driving down its temperature reading. The difference in temperature between the two thermometers is then used to calculate the relative humidity. This type of hygrometer is also called a psychrometer. Other hygrometers make use of the temperatures at which dew forms and disappears to calculate the relative humidity. Older hygrometers used the length of a strand of hair, which stretches when it absorbs moisture, to measure relative humidity.

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Other Word Forms

• hygrometry
  noun
• hygrometric
  adjective
• hygrometrically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of hygrometer

First recorded in 1660–70; hygro- + -meter

Example Sentences

Messrs. Negretti and Zambra have arranged a Wet and Dry Bulb Hygrometer upon the same plan.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Negretti, Henry

Saussure’s Hygrometer, formerly used as a meteorologic instrument, but now regarded as an ornamental curiosity, is represented in fig.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Negretti, Henry

In Figure 95 is shown the Recording Hygrometer complete with wet and dry bulbs, two connecting tubes and two recording pens and special moistening device for supplying water to the wet bulb.

From Seasoning of Wood by Wagner, J. B. (Joseph Bernard)

In Figure 96 is shown the Registering Hygrometer, which consists of two especially constructed thermometers.

From Seasoning of Wood by Wagner, J. B. (Joseph Bernard)

The Hygrometer, invented by Mr. Daniell, gives the dew-point by inspection.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 33, July, 1860 by Various