specific heat

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the number of calories required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance 1°C, or the number of BTU's per pound per degree F.

2. (originally) the ratio of the thermal capacity of a substance to that of standard material.

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specific heat Scientific  

1. See under heat capacity

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specific heat Cultural  

1. The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius, or to raise the temperature of one pound of a substance by one degree Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit).

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Etymology

Origin of specific heat

First recorded in 1825–35

Compare meaning

How does specific-heat compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• heat capacity vs. specific heat

Example Sentences

Spiraling interest rates, at least relative to recent history, have made affordability an even more acute problem, with some would-be buyers no longer qualifying for a specific loan size from one month to the next.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2022

Mr. Mnuchin ultimately earmarked $195 billion for specific loan programs.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2020

But qualifying for a specific loan amount — which sets the upper limit on what you can buy — cannot really be reduced to a ratio, he says.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2018

North Wales Credit Union, which has several offices across the region, has created a specific loan fund to support the initiative.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2012

The Energy Department said it would not discuss specific loan applications but has said previously it was in active discussions with GM and Chrysler.

From Reuters • Oct. 26, 2010