Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Barometer

Ba-rom′e-ter

,
Noun.
[Gr.
βάροσ
weight +
-meter
: cf. F.
baromètre
.]
An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any ascent.
☞ The barometer was invented by Torricelli at Florence about 1643. It is made in its simplest form by filling a graduated glass tube about 34 inches long with mercury and inverting it in a cup containing mercury. The column of mercury in the tube descends until balanced by the weight of the atmosphere, and its rise or fall under varying conditions is a measure of the change in the atmospheric pressure. At the sea level its ordinary height is about 30 inches (760 millimeters). See
Sympiesometer
.
Nichol.
Aneroid barometer
.
See
Aneroid barometer
, under
Aneroid
.
Marine barometer
,
a barometer with tube contracted at bottom to prevent rapid oscillations of the mercury, and suspended in gimbals from an arm or support on shipboard.
Mountain barometer
,
a portable mercurial barometer with tripod support, and long scale, for measuring heights.
Siphon barometer
,
a barometer having a tube bent like a hook with the longer leg closed at the top. The height of the mercury in the longer leg shows the pressure of the atmosphere.
Wheel barometer
,
a barometer with recurved tube, and a float, from which a cord passes over a pulley and moves an index.

Definition 2024


Barometer

Barometer

See also: barometer and barométer

German

Noun

Barometer n (genitive Barometers, plural Barometer)

  1. barometer (instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure)

Declension

barometer

barometer

See also: Barometer and barométer

English

A barometer.

Alternative forms

Noun

barometer (plural barometers)

  1. An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.
  2. Anything used as a gauge or indicator.
    • 1916. Michigan Law Review, Vol. 14, No. 8 (Jun., 1916), pp. 661-665 :
      "An election is not necessarily an accurate barometer of public opinion. There are other ways in which it makes itself felt, through the press, the forum, discussion, and through every other type of communication."

Translations


Danish

Etymology

From Ancient Greek βάρος (báros, weight) + -meter.

Noun

barometer n (definite singular barometeret or barometret, indefinite plural barometre, definite plural barometrene)

  1. a barometer

References


Dutch

Pronunciation

Noun

barometer m (plural barometers, diminutive barometertje n)

  1. (meteorology) barometer

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Ancient Greek βάρος (báros, weight) + -meter.

Noun

barometer n (definite singular barometeret or barometret, indefinite plural barometer or barometre, definite plural barometra or barometrene)

  1. a barometer

References


Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

From Ancient Greek βάρος (báros, weight) + -meter.

Noun

barometer n (definite singular barometeret, indefinite plural barometer, definite plural barometera)

  1. a barometer

References


Swedish

Noun

barometer c

  1. (meteorology) barometer

Declension