diathermancy

noun di·a·ther·man·cy \ ˌdīəˈthərmənsē \

variants: or diathermacy \-məsē\

Definition of diathermancy

plural -es

: the ability to transmit infrared radiation — compare athermancy

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Origin and Etymology of diathermancy

diathermancy from French diathermansie, from Greek dia- + thermansis heating, from thermainein to heat, from thermos hot; diathermacy from French diathermasie, from Greek diathermasia heating effect, from diathermainein to heat through, from dia- + thermainein