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Glite Dictionary
wet-bulb thermometer

wet-bulb thermometer

7.2
A small tool with a bulb covered in a wet cloth used to measure humidity
  • noun
  • /wɛt bʌlb θərˈmɑːmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : termómetro de bulbo húmedo
  • After the wet-bulb thermometer was moistened, the technician started the humidity reading process.

Examples

  • Each psychrometer contains a dry-bulb and a wet-bulb thermometer for accurate measurement.

  • The wet-bulb thermometer is essential for measuring relative humidity in weather stations.

  • The wet-bulb thermometer is essential for measuring humidity.

  • Can you explain how a wet-bulb thermometer works?

  • Each psychrometer contains a dry-bulb and a wet-bulb thermometer for accurate measurement.

  • The wet-bulb thermometer is essential for measuring relative humidity in weather stations.

  • After the wet-bulb thermometer was moistened, the technician started the humidity reading process.

Antonyms

dry-bulb thermometer
  • Specialized
6.5

A device that measures air temperature with a dry bulb

Surface Forms

wet-bulb thermometer singular
wet-bulb thermometers plural

Morphology

wet-bulb + thermometer

The compound is directly compositional: 'wet' (moist) + 'bulb' (the rounded part) modifies 'thermometer' (an instrument), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it is a thermometer with a moist/wet bulb. Although the specific use (measuring humidity) is somewhat technical, the referent and basic function are transparently derivable from the parts and typical noun-compound patterns.

Etymology

The noun wet-bulb thermometer is a thermometer whose round end, the wet-bulb, is wrapped in a wet cloth so the air cools it as the water dries. By comparing the cooled wet-bulb reading with a normal dry thermometer, people can tell how much moisture is in the air, so it is used to 'measure humidity'.