Thermos
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A bottle, flask or similar vessel having a vacuum between its inner and outer silvered walls; designed to maintain the temperature of its contents
- 2 A unit of measure whose identification remains very unclear. historical
"The mnaeion contains 4 gold pieces, 16 quarters, 64 thermoi, 128 carats. The gold piece contains 4 staters [sic for quarters], 16 thermoi, 32 carats. The thermos contains 2 carats. The quarter contains 4 thermoi, 8 carats. The thermos contains 2 carats.[…]The mnaeion has sixteen (16) quarters and the quarter has 6 thermoi, twelve (12) carats. The thermos has 2 carats, so that the mnaeion consists of 96 thermoi, 192 carats. The mnaeion weighs 8 drachmas, the quarter three obols, the thermos one-half obol, the carat 2 chalci.[…]Thermoi of 2 and of 1½ siliquae are attested in metrological writings (MSR II 180, s.v. θέρμοϲ); ½ ob. per thermus^([sic]) in 18 implies the lighter weight, as 1 ob. = 3 sil.[…]The mnaeion has 16 quarters and the quarter has (4 or 6) thermoi…"
- 3 vacuum flask that preserves temperature of hot or cold drinks wordnet
- 1 The ancient capital and sanctuary in Aetolia, Greece. historical
Example
More examples"I made a thermos full of coffee so you can take it along with your lunch."
Etymology
Genericization of the trademark Thermos, from Ancient Greek θερμός (thermós, “warm”). Possibly related to English warm.
From Ancient Greek θέρμος (thérmos).
Transliteration of Ancient Greek Θέρμος (Thérmos).
Related phrases
More for "thermos"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.