thermoregulation
/ˌθɜːrmoʊˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
thermos + regulare — heat (thermos) + to direct or adjust (regulare)
Overview
Meaning Now
- The process that allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature.
- The regulation of temperature within a specific system or organism.
Literal older meaning
heat-regulation
Language path
Ancient Greek → New Latin → English
Earliest form
thermoregulation
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The term emerged in the late 19th century as biology became increasingly defined by physics and chemistry, necessitating precise terminology to describe how homeothermic organisms maintain internal homeostasis against varying environmental temperatures.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
thermos
“hot, heat”
Root for 'thermo-'
- Late Latin
regulare
“to control, adjust”
Basis for 'regulation'
- Late 19th Century English
thermoregulation
“The physiological maintenance of body heat”
Coined in scientific nomenclature
Connections
Word parts
thermo-
prefix
relating to heat
regulation
stem
the act of adjusting
Related across languages
French
thermorégulation
thermoregulation
German
thermoregulation
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.