calefactive

9.9

Producing heat to make things warm

adjective
/kæˈlɛfɪktɪv/

Archaic

: calefactivo

Certain ointments have a calefactive property, creating a warming sensation when applied to the skin.

Examples

The calefactive effect of the lamp helped to keep the room warm on winter nights.
A calefactive blanket can provide additional comfort in cold environments.
This heater is calefactive.
Is this heater calefactive enough for winter?
A calefactive blanket can provide additional comfort in cold environments.
The calefactive effect of the lamp helped to keep the room warm on winter nights.
Certain ointments have a calefactive property, creating a warming sensation when applied to the skin.

Synonyms

calefactory

vscalefactive

Archaic

9.9

Making heat to warm a room or place

has identical meaning but appears as an alternate form

calorific

vscalefactive

Specialized

7.4

Producing heat or able to produce heat

emphasizes serving to provide heat rather than merely relating to it

calorifacient

vscalefactive

Archaic

9.9

A food that makes the body feel warmer when eaten

applies more broadly and is not limited to internal body heat

calefacient

vscalefactive

Specialized

9.9

Causes the skin to feel warm when put on

refers to actual heat production rather than only a surface feeling

How Warming

scorching

3.7

calefactive

Archaic

9.9

warming

1.3

heating

23 1.0

Surface Forms

calefactive positive

Morphology

calefactive = calefact + ive

The adjective is formed from a Latin combining form (calefact-) plus the productive suffix -ive, but the base is not a standalone English word, so the meaning is not recoverable by an average B1 learner from known English components.

Etymology

The word calefactive comes from the Latin parts calere 'be warm' and facere 'to make', so it means 'making warm' or 'producing heat'. Think of calorie, which is also about heat, to remember that a calefactive thing gives warmth.