The spelling of "centigrade thermometer" is fairly straightforward, but the pronunciation can be a bit tricky. The key is to break the word down phonetically: /ˈsɛntɪˌɡreɪd θərˈmɒmɪtər/. The "c" in "centigrade" is pronounced like an "s" sound, and the "i" is short. The stress is on the second syllable: "sen-TI-grade." The "o" in "thermometer" is pronounced like an "uh" sound. With the phonetic transcription as a guide, you should be able to spell and pronounce this word correctly.
A centigrade thermometer, also known as a Celsius thermometer, is a device used to measure temperature on the Celsius scale. It consists of a glass tube filled with a liquid such as mercury or alcohol, which expands or contracts based on changes in temperature. The centigrade scale is divided into 100 equal parts, with 0 degrees representing the freezing point of water and 100 degrees representing the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure.
The centigrade thermometer is widely used in various daily applications, such as measuring body temperature, weather forecasting, scientific experiments, and industrial processes. It provides a precise and accurate measurement of temperature, making it a valuable tool in many fields.
To take a temperature reading with a centigrade thermometer, the device is placed in or near the object or environment being measured. As the temperature changes, the liquid inside the thermometer rises or falls in the glass tube. The measurement is obtained by reading the position of the liquid against a calibrated scale on the tube. The scale typically displays markings at regular intervals, allowing for precise temperature readings.
Due to its widespread usage and simplicity, the centigrade thermometer has become the standard temperature measuring device in most countries, alongside the Fahrenheit and Kelvin scales. Its availability, ease of use, and compatibility with scientific and professional applications have made it an indispensable tool in accurately gauging temperature for a variety of purposes.
A thermometer graduated according to the c. scale.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "centigrade thermometer" has an interesting etymology. The term "centigrade" is derived from Latin, where "centi-" means "hundred" and "grade" refers to "unit or step". In 1743, Swedish astronomer and physicist Anders Celsius introduced a temperature scale with 0 degrees representing the boiling point of water and 100 degrees representing its freezing point. This scale was named "centigrade" due to the scale's division into 100 equal parts or "steps".
Thus, a "centigrade thermometer" is a device used to measure temperature using the Celsius scale, which is divided into 100 degrees.